More people now visit Sunderbans round the year, thanks to infrastructure overhaul
16 May 2018 5:16 AM IST
Kolkata: With the infrastructure of Sunderbans having seen massive development in recent times, the "round the year" turnout of tourists has gone up considerably at the mangrove haven.
In the past six and a half years, the Mamata Banerjee government has carried out immense development work in Sunderbans, which has ensured a smooth journey for tourists to the site and a substantial hike in footfall as a result.
Manturam Pakhira, the Sunderbans Affairs department chief, said: "People now visit Sunderbans round the year. However, we alert people about the bad weather during monsoon, or in case of any natural calamity." It may be mentioned that visit to the place is encouraged throughout the year, apart from inclement weather conditions or calamities. Starting from development of road connectivity to setting up of rest sheds, the infrastructure boost has helped the local populace and ensured a steady flow of tourists.
Construction of roads along with culverts, wherever necessary, in all the blocks of Sunderbans, has ensured safe plying of vehicles in all weather conditions. Now tourists can travel to Sunderbans any time of the year and at the same time, local people can easily move from one place to another. Citing an example, an official said: "Now, local people do not have to think twice about the condition of roads. Earlier, owing to poor road conditions, plying of vehicles used to become quite impossible during monsoon."
At the same time, infrastructure for water transport has also been improved. Condition of the riverine jetties has been improved. The official said that another step taken for improvement of connectivity is construction of bridges, connecting different islands in Sunderbans.
It may be mentioned that every year, Hilsa Festival takes place in Sunderbans in August and September. According to tour operators, who participated in a recently held tourism fair in the city, more people are now showing interest in visiting Sunderbans.
People visit different places in Sunderbans, including Gosaba Hamilton Bunglow, bird forest, Pirkhali, Dobaki Watch Tower, Sajnekhali Watch Tower, Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower and Sarkhali Island.
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