 Proposed
Activities
In each Eco-tourism zones following tourism
activities will be carried out with the help of local communities,
Environmental NGOs and State Forest Department. All eco-tourism
activities are broadly divided into four parts considering the
tourism potentiality of the particular zone. 1. Forest-based
activities, 2. Community based activities, 3. Adventure based
activities, 4. General Activities.
1.
Forest-based activities
a. Nature treks and wild life walks
: Trained nature guides will accompany small groups of tourists
for short treks and walks inside the surrounding forests/areas
of the respective zones giving the opportunity to explore the
virgin wilderness and unpolluted scenic landscape.
b. Bird watching: All resorts having located
in forests areas and river valleys rich in bird life will offer
tourists ample scope for bird watching. A trained guide having
knowledge of local bird species will be provided to the willing
bird watchers.
c. Guided wild life safari by vehicles: Vehicles
will take small groups of tourists to the core areas of the
protected forests for wildlife viewing. An expert guide will
accompany the group of maximum 6 persons in each vehicle. Naturebeyond
will arrange all necessary permission from the forest department.
 2.
Community -based activities
a. Ethnic cultural shows:
To expose the tourists to the traditions and customs of the
indigenous communities, resort guests will be taken to the neighboring
villages, where cultural shows will be organized. Colorful Cultural
performances by Rava, Mech and Nepali communities will be organized
at the Eco-resorts, too.
b. Handicraft Promotion: Traditional handicraft
groups in the vicinity of the respective eco-tourism zones will
be promoted and samples of various handicraft products will
also be displayed at the resorts for sell.
c. Village tour: Scopes will be given to the
tourists staying at the eco resorts to interact with the local
ethnic communities. Tourists will be taken to remote tribal
villages, where they can experience unique lifestyle of the
villagers.
3.
Adventure and recreational activities
a. White-water rafting: Tourist
will be taken to the rafting point in Tista River. The base
for rafting at present will be at Melli, from where tourists
will to raft down Riang at a distance of 15 kms.
b. Rock-climbing: Adventurous tourists will
be taken to suitable rock faces for rock climbing. This will
be guided by an expert rock climber.
c. Camping: Wherever possible naturebeyond
will arrange Camping activities in the adjacent areas of the
eco-tourism resorts for the enthusiastic tourists. The camping
sites will mostly be located in the river valleys.
 4.
General activities:
a. Leisure: All resorts will
have reasonably furnished tourist accommodation and restaurants.
A set of people has been trained up to professionally meet the
basic requirement of the tourists staying at the resorts.
b. Conducted tours: Conducted tours will be
organized at the newly developed tourist circuit within the
eco-tourism zones. Besides, there will also be trips to other
tourist destinations in North Bengal and Sikkim.
NOTE: All activities outlined
above have been designed in such a manner where the local communities
living in the vicinity of the Eco-tourism center get the maximum
benefit and exposure. For each specific programme groups have
been identified and have been trained for capacity building
of the community members engaged in the activities like nature
guiding and managerial as well as entrepreneurship.
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