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Tourism may help Kulshi forest conservation

By KISHORE TALUKDAR - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

KULSHI, Dec 7 � While tourism potential of many places across the State are being harnessed to the benefit of the locals, the same for Kulshi Forest, which consists of three reserve forest areas � Kulshi, Pantan I and Borduar I � is to take off. Endowed with four kinds of vegetations with the predominance of lofty teak forest, the Kulshi RF � sprawling over 1856.32 ha area � boasts of the heritage teak plot as well as the century-old colonial construction, the Kulshi Inspection Bungalow.

Only 12 km from Chhaygaon, the exploitation of tourism prospects without undoing the territorial eco-system matters more to minimise the growing strain on forested track. �That economic benefit could be availed without felling the timber should be sensitized to those who are easily vulnerable to the lure of timber smuggling,� said some conscious citizens emphasising on the pressing need of exhorting the ABC of undisturbed forest eco-system. They further informed that timbers are felled and transported at the behest of a high-heeled smuggling syndicate.

Highly-vulnerable to destructive harvesting following the mammoth economic return, the aesthetic aspect of Kulshi needs to be tapped to stem further degradation.

Meanwhile, the serpentine course of the Kulshi river � the ideal abode of endangered Gangetic river dolphin � which is traced to the West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya at the elevation of 1800-1900 metres, is a must-see destination. Flowing through the foothill of Kulshi, the call of Kulshi can not be refused.

Tourists from abroad after sighting dolphins in the Kukurmara segment of the river, are reportedly willing to feast their eyes on the heritage teak plot, nearly 15 km from Kukurmara.

Still lagging in the developmental activities, electrification is a distant dream in the area. As far as the physical infrastructure is concerned, the main thoroughfare from Chhaygaon enjoy the virtue of being motorable. But another arterial road branching right from Mirza-Chandubi road is in deplorable state because of alleged substandard construction and plying of heavy sand-ladden trucks.

People with itchy feet who want to visit Chandubi from Kulshi have to undergo a bumpy ride. So going by the enormous prospects of tourism which is based on sustainability, it is high time to harness the potential to derive economic benefit. Once the famed home to Panthera tigris and Gravialis gangeticus, both Kulshi forest and Kulsi river have suffered setbacks, but not beyond restoration. Abundant with serene natural beauty, steps should be taken to allow Kulshi to live upto her image.