Cooch Behar, July 8 -- The West Bengal government has initiated plans to develop the Rasmati forest in Cooch Behar into a major eco-tourism destination while reviving the long-pending rhino rehabilitation project. State Forest Minister Manoj Oraon announced the initiative during an inspection of the forest on Tuesday.
The minister said tourism infrastructure, including picnic spots, jungle safari facilities and other visitor amenities, would be developed to transform the forest into a modern tourist destination.
"We are committed to developing the Rasmati forest as an important tourist centre. A comprehensive development plan will be prepared with the cooperation of the local administration and residents. At the same time, the long-awaited rhino rehabilitation project will also be implemented at the earliest," Oraon said.
The minister visited the Rasmati forest under the Cooch Behar North Assembly constituency along with MLA Sukumar Roy, District Magistrate Jitin Yadav, Superintendent of Police Jaspreet Singh and senior Forest Department officials. They reviewed the present condition of the forest and discussed its tourism and conservation potential. Spread across nearly six square kilometres, the Rasmati forest was once a popular picnic and tourist destination. The adjoining Rasikbeel area attracted visitors with facilities such as boating, guest houses and other recreational amenities. However, tourism activities gradually declined over the years, leaving the forest neglected.
The rhino rehabilitation project was first proposed during the previous Trinamool Congress government. Although preliminary work was undertaken to create a suitable habitat, the project never materialised.
MLA Sukumar Roy welcomed the renewed initiative, saying he had repeatedly raised the issue of Rasmati's development in the Assembly while in the Opposition. "Within two months of the formation of the new government, the Forest Minister has visited the area. Renovation and development work will begin soon, and Rasmati will be transformed into an attractive tourist destination," he said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.