To promote the State’s tiger reserves and wildlife heritage, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), West Zone, Mumbai, in collaboration with Maharashtra Forest Department, has launched ‘Vandarshan - Explore Nature. Discover Wildlife!’, a series of rail-based wildlife tour packages commencing from November 19. Under the initiative, five exclusive four-night/five-day itineraries will be operated from Mumbai every Thursday by Train No. 12105 Vidarbha Express, with return by Train No. 12106 Vidarbha Express from Gondia every Sunday. Boarding and return stations will be as per itinerary. The five Vandarshan circuits are - Tadoba with Bor Tiger Reserve; Tadoba with Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve; Pench with Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary; Tadoba with Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary; and Tadoba with Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. A key feature is confirmed rail tickets and confirmed safari permits. Each departure will have limited inventory of six berths in AC 3-tier and six berths in AC 2-tier, combining comfortable rail travel with jungle safaris, accommodation and local transport. The packages are targeted at wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, families and nature lovers. Bookings are available on their website ‘irctctourism.com’ and on counter bookings. The initiative would give further boost to wildlife tourism in Vidarbha region, now the hottest must visit place for tiger sighting. With IRCTC taking lead in conducting wildlife tourism tours, tourists can breathe easy as these conducted tours would not have to go through hassles of ticket booking as there is huge rush at Tadoba and Umred-Karhandla these days.