Nagpur: The Nagpur forest division is moving ahead with plans for a nature tourism project in the vicinity of Panchmukhi Hanuman temple premises in Babulkheda, around 35 kms from the city. Earlier this week, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Rs 45.56 crore project in the presence of revenue minister and Nagpur district guardian minister Chandrashekar Bawankule.Sanctioned under the Maharashtra Nisarg Paryatan Vikas Mandal (MNPVM), the project will be executed by the forest department.The nature park will feature a massive entrance plaza, parking facilities, pathways, a nature information and lecture centre, a restaurant, an eco park, an adventure park, a bamboo walking trail, a bouldering deck, cottages, and a children’s play area. Drinking water supply, sanitation, and other basic infrastructure will also be developed in the vicinity. The project will incorporate solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and waste management measures.Describing the initiative, Bavankule said, “This project belongs to the people and would be implemented for the people. This will generate employment for the locals. We should also consider building a skill development centre where training can be imparted to youth from surrounding villages to enable local employment.”Ramtek Lok Sabha MP Shyamkumar Barve welcomed the initiative, stating, “This is a very good project, and I hope that the interests of locals will be kept in mind.” Expressing optimism about the project, Saoner MLA Ashish Deshmukh said, “The concept of this project is amazing, and it will be beneficial not only for locals but also for tourists.” He said the Saoner region holds significant untapped tourism potential, which this project could help unlock.Senior forest officials present included M Srinivas Rao, principal chief conservator of forests, Giri Guruprasad, conservator of forests, Dr Bharat Singh Hada, member secretary, Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board, and Dr Vineeta Vyas, deputy conservator of forests, among other forest department officials.
