Forest Department reviving Mogarkasa as a tourist spot
| Date :01-Aug-2020 |
Deck being constructed at Mogarkasa lake to offer a better view to tourists.
By Ramesh Marulkar ;
Spot expected to open for tourism from November
The project involves cost of Rs one crore
Mogarkasa, a neglected natural spot situated 20 km away from Paoni on Nagpur-Jabalpur Highway, is being revived by Forest Department at a cost of Rs one crore for tourist activities. The secluded spot with scenic beauty was open for tourism over three-and-a-half decades ago, where a handful of tourists continue to visit even today. This destination never became popular because of less sighting of wild animals and lack of facilities. Now, with thriving wildlife around the lake and circular road, Forest Department (Territorial), Napgur, has decided to once again transform it into a tourist spot. There are movements of five/six tigers, herds of spotted deer, wild boars, blue bulls, peacocks with avian diversity in the area in and around Mogarkasa. It was around 37 years ago that the department had organised a tour of journalists to Mogarkasa. Then, no animal could be seen, except for monkeys near the rest house.
A visit by this correspondent on Wednesday revealed that the wild animals were moving around the lake and in jungle close to circular road. There is also movement of tigers in Paoni Forest Range situated close to the buffer area of Pench Tiger Reserve. Shedding light on the tourism development plan, Dr Prabhu Nath Shukla, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Territory), Nagpur, said that the department received Rs one crore from District Planning Committee for developing this spot. Several works including those of six tents with toilet facilities in constructed structures, erecting a deck in the portion of lake with lotus to have better view, butterfly area at the lakeside by planting saplings of trees attracting them, renovating two rest houses and others have been taken up in phases.
The department could start jungle safari in future, depending on the flow of tourists at this place. The department expects the works to be completed by October end, and Mogarkasa to be thrown open for eco-tourism in November. One of the main objectives behind reviving this spot is to provide employment/livelihood opportunities to the local people from Salai, Sawangi, Tangla, Hiwara-Bazaar and other villages. A Self-Help Group (SHG) from nearby Salai village will manage the affairs in co-operation with the department and Joint Forest Management Committee.
Women members also can earn by providing snacks and meals at the canteen as well as selling cloth bags, caps and other materials to the visitors. Youths also can get employment opportunities through safari. The department will provide necessary training to SHGs and youths. The locals are supporting commercial approach that changes their perception, he added. Dr Shukla said that at present Pench had to sustain full pressure but after this spot tourists could be diverted towards Mogarkasa in lean period. The increasing tourist flow will also help in protection of wild animals.
He said that the department had erected a check-post at a turning to Mogarkasa that stopped anti-social elements entering the jungle with evil design of poaching animals. Now, some people visit the spot, especially on weekends/holidays, take round of the jungle, cook food and leave the place. As only two suites are available in a rest house, people prefer to leave the spot by evening, he said. Sandip Giri, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Ramtek; Ritesh Bhongade and S G Parihar, Range Forest Officers, also gave details about the project and hoped that Mogarkasa’s revival would add value to the tourism development of the region.