Nagpur: To hoist Melghat Tiger Reserve on the global tourism map, a mega pre-event on Saturday evening marked the ceremonial launch of the ‘Melghat Passion Trail’ — a four-day influencer-led initiative aimed at showcasing Maharashtra’s first tiger reserve.Speaking at the event organised in collaboration with TOI, M Adarsh Reddy, conservator of forests and field director of Melghat Tiger Reserve, highlighted the paradox surrounding the reserve. “Melghat remains less known despite its vast and rich ecosystem. Its remoteness, limited connectivity, and rugged terrain have contributed to this. However, with improved accessibility, including the operational airport in Amravati with flights to Mumbai, we expect a rise in tourism,” he said. Reddy welcomed the influencers, describing them as “ambassadors of Melghat” who can shape public perception and bring the reserve into wider discourse.Highlighting the broader conservation perspective, M Srinivas Rao, principal chief conservator of forests (HoFF), said the collaboration with TOI reflects a shift towards participatory awareness. “While conservation remains our core responsibility, the approach is now evolving from enclosed protection to participatory awareness, where people play an active role in preserving such ecosystems. It is a living, breathing journey of wildlife conservation in Maharashtra.” He said the initiative would help bridge the information gap around Melghat and bring its ecological and cultural richness into wider public discourse.Sanjeev Gaur, principal chief conservator of forests, emphasised the reserve’s unique character. “Melghat’s beauty lies in its versatility. It may not appear extraordinary at first glance, but its depth reveals itself when experienced closely,” he said. Gaur pointed to the immersive experience awaiting visitors, including interactions with tribal communities and challenges of life in remote forest regions. “You step into a different world, where connectivity drops and nature takes over. That contrast itself is something to experience,” he added.Senior forest officials and dignitaries attended the event, which saw the felicitation of participating influencers who will begin their journey to Melghat on Sunday. The initiative is designed to amplify Melghat’s relatively lesser-known ecological and cultural richness through digital storytelling.
