GUWAHATI, Dec 19 – The people who now zealously protect the trees and every treasure of nature in the Dibru-Saikhowa reserve forest had at one time earned notoriety for illegal activities there. Now these people – Hiren Senapati, Dhaneswar Neog and others – have not only earned the respect of people, they have also become role models.
This change in the people who once ravaged the greenery has come owing to the concept of ecotourism of some local youths desirous of bringing economic uplift in the villages in the fringe areas of the forest as well as save the forest from human depredation.
Under the leadership of a local youth Niranta Gohain, a project was launched in 2007 under the banner of Wave Ecotourism, its headquarters located at Rangagora, adjacent to the Dibru-Saikhowa forest which has been recognized as a national park and a biosphere reserve. Niranta could convince six people involved in illegal tree felling and poaching in the forest to join his group. Hiren Senapati was one of them.
Within a very short span of time, the group could generate an enthusiasm beyond expectation among the villagers regarding the concept of ecotourism. Now 100 local people, many again involved in illegal activities inside the forest are indirectly benefiting from the project.
What is most encouraging for the members of Wave Ecotourism is that the people have realized the importance of safeguarding their invaluable natural treasures.
“We have trained up a number of local people and they are now competent guides for the tourists,” said Niranta.
Niranta’s group have a eco camp at Rangagora with food and lodging accommodation for 15 tourists at a time, and provision of food for 150 tourists at a time.
Apart from taking the tourists to selected spots in the forest, the group also arranges for the tourists to enjoy the unique cultural mosaic of the State by taking them to historical and traditional places of the various ethnic tribes. Two forest villages, Laika and Dodhia inhabited by the Mising tribe have emerged as major attractions for the tourists. The ethnic diversity, lifestyle and cultural tradition of the Mottocks, Morans, the Sonowal Kacharis and the Nepalis have stunned the foreign tourists.
Tourists from Netherlands, America, New Zealand, UK, Belgium and Germany have come to this place and enjoyed their stay in the midst of pristine nature and village people still untouched by the degradation of civilization.
Around 1300 backpackers visited the site last year. For the adventure- loving tourists, there is immense scope to experience some daredevilry moments with tracking, rafting, flood tour etc. As most parts of Dibru-Saikhowa are inundated during the rainy season, rowing through the innumerable channels during this time is an irresistible invitation to the adventure lovers.
