With the onset of winter season, the footfall at the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary has started witnessing a major boost this year. The scenic wildlife sanctuary, 30km from Jamshedpur, is abuzz with tourists spending quality time amid natural surroundings. The forest department’s focus on infrastructure development has played a key role in increasing revenue as well as the footfall this time. The Dalma sanctuary, known for its scenic beauty and large presence of the elephants has witnessed a gradual improvement on the infrastructure front with the setting up of mud houses, cafeteria, watch tower and rest rooms.

Though the tourist flow here had seen a rapid decline owing to the Maoist fear and spread of Covid-19, the presence of over 150 elephants coupled with favourable climatic conditions, are bringing back wildlife enthusiasts to the sanctuary.

The forest department’s focus on infrastructure development has played a key role in increasing revenue as well as the footfall this time. The Dalma sanctuary, known for its scenic beauty and large presence of the elephants has witnessed a gradual improvement on the infrastructure front with the setting up of mud houses, cafeteria, watch tower and rest rooms.

“As per our initial calculations, the footfall has increased around 25 percent in comparison to last year. The improvement in infrastructure has definitely helped us to attract tourists from across the State and neighbouring places. We are taking every step to improve facilities at the sanctuary,” said an official. He said that facilities like Mud House and Cafeteria are proving a major boost to attract tourists.

He informed that in association with the Eco Development Committees in the villages, the cafeteria and mud houses are being operated.

Dalma sprawls over an area of 193 square kilometres and houses 85 villages inside the enclave and 51 villages in its periphery. Dalma is frequently visited by people of Odisha and Kolkata. In fact a large number of foreigners also visited Dalma last year.

“We want people to stay closer to nature. We have guest houses, thatched roofs made of hay and bamboo to keep the huts warm during winter and cool during summer. Guests are served food prepared from organic vegetables grown in the farm and organic milk, said another official.