IFS officer Vikas Nayak got here throughout a barren land within the ravines of Firozabad district in Uttar Pradesh. As soon as a breeding floor for thieves and dacoits, he developed it right into a inexperienced oasis with wooden huts, geo treks, a butterfly park, and extra.
When Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Vikas Nayak noticed the land the place Rapdi Eco Tourism Centre stands as we speak, he noticed immense potential. Sitting barren proper subsequent to the River Yamuna, the place was a abandoned land with dying biodiversity.
“There was one thing concerning the land which made me need to preserve biodiversity. After I noticed the place, I might envision a spot way more than a barren plot. I instantly began to attract a plan with my group,” he shares in a dialog with The Higher India.
Conceptualised in 2023, 11 months later, Vikas was in a position to construct Rapdi Ecotourism Centre alongside along with his group. “On its opening day, we had about 1,100 folks swarming the place, which is so much for a spot like this,” muses Vikas.
Whereas trying to save lots of the biodiversity of the place was a key issue, there was one more reason to rejuvenate the place — spreading consciousness about aware tourism.
A ravine expertise
Positioned a brief drive away from Shikohabad within the district of Firozabad, the place is dwelling to tons of of timber, picket huts, boats and much more and was “taken as much as create the primary ecotourism facility within the district.”
“After I was first posted within the space, I realised the way it didn’t have any ecotourism place. The locals weren’t very lively in pure conservation both and I wished to do one thing about it,” he says.
By the way, the officer began to go searching the realm and located the right place right here itself.
“It was an ideal place because it had ravine qualities and likewise a little bit elevation. I acquired all the way down to drawing plans and making a price range. We formulated a undertaking and offered it to the forest departments, securing funding for its implementation. Following the funding acquisition, which was in March 2023, we began the work,” he informs.
The place was accomplished and opened to the general public with no charge in February 2024. “The place was additionally made retaining in thoughts that Agra — which attracts numerous vacationers — is close by. This ensures that the place may get extra guests,” shares Vikas.
The ecotourism centre has a plethora of actions in addition to the biodiversity and plush greenery.
“The place features a ‘geo trek’, picket cottages for guests to guide and keep, velocity boating, fowl watching spots, cave explorations, a butterfly park and a cafeteria,” informs Vikas.
He provides, “Now we have included some elevated options, resembling a hillside terrain, and developed geo treks for exploration. Moreover, we’ve established butterfly spots the place guests can be taught concerning the forest and river ecosystems.”
Organising and working an ecotourism centre
Earlier than the realm turned an eco-tourism centre, Vikas informs that the place was a breeding floor for them and dacoits.
“We began with planting timber within the areas and bettering the place’s greenery. We additionally arrange habitats for birds and butterflies. Though the place had many timber, we began to plant extra and construct the place across the timber. The design was such that it didn’t disrupt the present biodiversity of the place,” he says.
Vikas wished to create and entice extra vacationers to the realm, and he additionally wished to lift consciousness about eco and accountable tourism.
“It has been within the historical past of the forest division to contain locals within the work. From serving to with sustaining the forests to organising such initiatives to rescuing wildlife, it has been a convention for the division to hunt assist from the area people,” he says.
Taking this custom, Vikas mapped out a plan that will assist the area people develop.
“The power, which is now absolutely operational, advantages the area people by offering alternatives for them to handle the canteen, parking services, and gathering the entry charges. Moreover, we’re conducting hospitality coaching to make sure high quality service for guests, together with steerage on serving meals and interacting throughout nature treks,” he says.
A committee has been established to supervise the power’s administration, with a portion of the proceeds going to the federal government as royalty and the remainder being allotted to the neighborhood, he provides.
Moreover, the place is a one hundred pc plastic free zone. “We’re not permitting any plastic contained in the park. We’re additionally working with SHGs and sourcing native artwork items reminiscent of jute luggage and picket artwork items to promote to the guests,” he informs.
In line with him, the clientele for this ecotourism enterprise is exclusive, consisting of people who perceive and respect accountable tourism practices. “As a accountable vacationer, one should recognise their carbon footprint and minimise environmental impression. In ecotourism, services could also be restricted, however the emphasis is on sustainability and immersion in nature,” he says.
Mohit, who travelled from Shikohabad in Uttar Pradesh to the eco-park, says, “I got here with my household to discover the ecotourism centre. The federal government has taken a really new idea and turned it into a spot of recreation. It’s actually good to see this space flourish right into a inexperienced oasis.”
He provides that the butterfly park is his favorite half concerning the park. “There’s additionally a small trek which is enjoyable so that you can do with your loved ones. A characteristic that stands out is that your entire space is pollution-free and doesn’t have any litter. Guests are additionally getting consciousness and making an attempt to maintain the place clear,” he provides.
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Discussing his future plans, the IFS officer says, “We intend to increase the power and introduce new initiatives reminiscent of a plant library. This library will present details about numerous plant species, permitting guests to deepen their botanical information. Our aim is to supply immersive experiences that foster appreciation for the pure surroundings and encourage conservation efforts.”
(Edited by Padmashree Pande; All Footage credit score: Vikas Nayak)