Concept Paper on Snail farming project for our feathered guests

Several varieties of the migratory birds  like Lesser whistling Teals and Open bill storks  feed on different varieties of mollusks like snails, etc.

The local tribal population can be induced to undertake snail farming project under MGNREGA scheme of the Government, the apple snail variety may serve to supplement the normal diet of the villagers as well and is a rich source of protein.

Some such varieties of snails are of the subgenus Achatina , Archachatina and Pila.

Constructing a snailery for breeding Achatina (Bengali- "Samuk") and Archachatina variety of Land snail

Choosing a system: the options

The type and dimensions of a snailery  depend, obviously, on the snail growing system chosen, and on the quantity of snails produced.

As far is  housing is concerned, your snail farm could be extensive,

semi-intensive, or intensive, in  increasing order of complexity, management and financial inputs. Three options might be considered:

1. Extensive system: outdoor, free-range snail pens.

2. Mixed, or semi-intensive system: egg laying and hatching occur in a controlled environment; the young snails are then removed after 6-8 weeks to outside pens for growing or fattening or both.

3.  Intensive: closed systems, for example plastic tunnel houses, green-houses and buildings with controlled climate.

Regardless of the size and type of  the snail farm, the housing system

must meet the following conditions. It must be:

1.  escape-proof; snails are escape prone and unless prevented from doing so they will quickly wander all over your (or your neighbour's) garden or house.

2.  spacious , in accordance with the growing stage of the snails (hatch-lings, juveniles, breeding snails, or mature snails fattened for consumption). Snails suffer from overcrowding, which impedes their development and increases the risk of diseases. Suitable rearing densities range from > 100/m for hatchlings to 7-10/m for breeding snails.

3.  easily accessible and easy to work in or with , for handling the snails, placing feed, cleaning and other tasks.

4.  well-protected  from insects, predators and poachers.

Different materials can be used for building snaileries, depending on price and availability.

1.  Decay- and termite-resistant timber. In South East  Asia poles can be made of a species like teak.

2.  Sandcrete blocks, or mudbricks.

3.  Galvanized sheets, polythene sheets.

4.  Chicken wire, for protection.

5.  Mosquito nets or nylon mesh, for covering the pens as protection against insects.

6.  Second-hand materials, like car  tyres, oil drums and old water tanks.

What snails eat

Snails are vegetarian and will accept many types of food. All snails will avoid plants that have hairy leaves or produce toxic chemicals.

Market waste

Because snails are vegetarians, the cheapest way to feed them is by collecting rejected but recommended food from marketplaces. At the end of any market day, some perishable vegetables and fruits still useful for snail consumption can be collected from the dumping areas. A. achatina  baby snails thrive best on leafy vegetables. At all other stages, a diet made up of the following ingredients is recommended:

1.  Yam leaves contribute fairly high amounts of protein (2.9%), calcium (60 mg/kg) and phosphorus (52 mg/kg), and moderate amounts of thiamine (vitamin B 1) and riboflavin (vitamin B2).

2.  Paw paw fruit provides moderate amounts of carbohydrates and high amounts of ascorbic acid (which is a feeding stimulant for many plant-eating animals, including snails).

3. If the soil is not high in calcium, supplementary calcium will be needed. This can be provided by sprinkling

snail shells  onto leafy vegetables.

Other common and nutritious feeds, banana, cabbage, and even cassava leaves. Younger snails are fed tender leaves.

4.  Snails need water! Most is supplied by the food they consume, but additional water must be supplied in the growing pens: a water-soaked sponge or a dot of cotton wool for hatchlings and juveniles, in shallow dishes (otherwise the snails may drown)  for mature and breeding snails.

Constructing a snailery for breeding Pila globosa (Apple snail- Bengali- Guglee) variety of freshwater snail

Construct six small ponds- (i) two snail breeding ponds (15′× 4′× 4′ ) separated by 4 ′  of space in between the two for breeding ground, surrounded by 3 ′  wide egg laying ground;(ii) mature snail stocking pond (6′× 4′× 4′ ); (iii) juvenile hatching and collecting pond (6′× 4′× 4′ ) (iv) yearling nursery pond (6′× 4′× 4′ ). 

Such small dimensions of the breeding pond are suggested for making the opportunity for spontaneous 

movement and close contact of P. globosa  to copulate easily. Water depth (3 ′  - 3.6 ') should be ensured above 3″ - 4 ″ of bottom soil. 

Apple snail requires moist grassy soil for egg laying, so grass should be planted on the 3 ′  wide egg laying 

ground surrounding the breeding ponds. Water line should be arranged so that depending on the need, the breeding pond could be filled and waste water drained out.  

Juvenile hatching and collecting pond (6 ′× 4′× 4′) covered by fine wire or mosquito net having suitable mesh size for dropping down the juveniles after hatching out from the eggs. Arrangement for taking off the wire-net and transferring the juveniles from the pond to nursery pond and nursery pond to stocking and aestivating area should be ensured.  

In all the cases aeration should be ascertained for maintenance of favourable temperature, Dissolved Oxygen.

Feeding apple snails

Natural food plants for apple snails are common water hyacinth, toka pana or water lettuce, among the others.

The water in which they live should be clean and clear and there should be rapid cleaning of dead snails and decayed food plants and frequent change of water.

Acknowledgement:
i) Sri Durgadas Goswami, IAS, DM, Dakshin Dinajpur

ii) Practical guide on snail farming by Cobbinah

iii)Research papers of researchers of the University of Rajsahi, Bangladesh, available over the internet.

Concept Paper on Entrepreneurship Development Program on Tourism

Upcoming projects in the district

1.       Circuit tourism of Uttar Dinajpur, Malda and Dakshin Dinajpur- Interest area- the medieval kingdom of Gour and the previous regimes as excavated at Bangarh and the relics and remains as recovered in the vicinity.

1a) Tourist Lodge at Rajibpur mouza near Bangarh.

1b) Shami briksha of folklore at Bairhatta in Harirampur.

2.       Ecotourism at Bhaluka Beel under PPP model

3.       Ecotourism at Mahipal Dighi as a part of Rural tourism proposal for Kushmandi block.

4.       Lake tourism at Tapan Dighi with water sports facilities.

5.       Lake tourism at Gour Dighi in Harirampur with water sports facilities.

Investment opportunities

1.       As tour operator- general, ecotourism, rural tourism.

2.       As restaurant and catering service provider specialising in local cuisine

3.       As local resource person who would provide homestay arrangement and would coordinate between the tourists, local craftsmen and government for promotion of rural tourism/ ecotourism- they may act as sub agent of tour operator or may operate freelance.

4.       Tour guide from local people who would tell the story of folklore, ecology conservation.

5.       Water sports facilitator and entrepreneur.

6.       River cruise / eco-tour organising entrepreneur/ facilitator.

7.       Groups involved in nursery, snail farming, and dhocra, bamboo crafts, Gangarampur tant, etc.

8.       Khwon artists and local artists

Risk profiling

1.       Higher risk- Tour operator (all types), Water sports organiser

2.       Medium risk- Restaurant/ catering service provider, River cruise/ eco- tour organiser

3.       Least risk- Home stay provider, Tour guides, Facilitators all types, shg groups, artists, work force in the enterprises.

Support to would- be entrepreneurs

1.       Awareness generation of scope in tourism activities

2.       Training in hotel and travel management- by Institute of Hotel Management which may be sponsored by dept. of tourism

3.       Help in project preparation and identification by DIC/ NABARD/ DRDC- Preliminary steps in identifying entrepreneurs in related fields from the DIC, who might like to work in tourism sector, they may be assisted in their venture.

4.       Financial assistance for schemes along with loan facility from NABARD/ Banks/ Tourism department

   Action points delineated

    1.       Local SGSY groups at Kushmandi, Hili and Gangarampur with at least 4 no. class 10- 8 passed members can be imparted training in food and beverage service, cookery and patisserie

     2.       Class 10 passed youths at Gangarampur, Kushmandi, and Hili can be organised into SHGs providing tourguides and may be imparted basic training on culture, ethnic, ecotourism and interpersonal aspects. They may later grow into travel agency/ tour operator.

     3.       Crafts groups, Folksong groups, local traditional knowledge groups, snake-charmers groups and Tribal dancers’ groups may be imparted interpersonal skills, cleanliness and presentation training

      4.       Selected entrepreneurs with initiative and vision may be imparted short duration regular training on travel and tour management.

     5.       One regular post for Contractual employee as facilitator for regular entrepreneurship development on tourism may be created and deployed in each district with tourism potential.

   Training courses that may be organised

      1.       Training on basic interpersonal skills, cleanliness and presentation

      2.       Food and beverage service

      3.       Cookery & Bakery and Patisserie

      4.       Housekeeping utility

      5.       Travel and tourism management

Highlights of the Entrepreneurship Development Program

·         Overview of the Travel and Tourism sector

1.       Travel & tourism is a sector circumscribing accommodation, transport, catering, recreation and ancillary services for tourists.

2.        One of the world’s topmost priority industries and employers, and the world’s leading growth sector.

3.       The business turnover of this sector even surpasses the turnover of oil exports, food products and or automobiles

4.       This sector has become a major player in international commerce

5.       This sector has become a main source of income for many developing countries

·         Challenges facing the sector

1.       Knowledge and Information – mainstreaming tourism as a mode of employment generation

2.       Entrepreneurship Development & Transformation

3.       Role of Local Government in Tourism – service delivery mechanism, hassle free atmosphere conducive to tourism

4.       Infrastructure Support e.g. publicity materials, roads, water & electricity supply

5.       Systematizing private sector involvement and enterprise development initiative

6.       Safety and Security – of tourists and local people

7.       Skill Development – both interpersonal and related hardcore skills

8.       Service Excellence – grading & culture of customer  focus

9.       Responsible Tourism  - integrity with biodiversity

10.   Marketing & Promotion – funding

11.   Tourism Awareness/Tourism Education/Culture of tourism

12.   Community Empowerment

·         Primary objectives mainly for eco-tourism entrepreneurs

1.       Encourage small & medium entrepreneurships in key tourism sites that explore local ingenuity and creativity using local materials and employ local talents;

2.       Develop pioneering industries that would spur economic growth and sustain the maintenance of tourism sites;

3.        Create favorable business environment and positive attitude by educating the community to be responsive entrepreneurs who will safeguard the management of eco-tourism sites;

4.       Promote the development of products that will satisfy visitors’ needs while positioning the district as a globally competitive tourism destination.

·         Eligible projects in entrepreneurship

1.       Core Tourism Products

ü  Operation of new services (tour guiding for rural tourism, heritage tourism, cultural tourism, eco-tourism, etc.)

ü  Operation of new activities (hiking, canopy walk, watersports, etc.)

2.       Tourism Establishment related products

ü  Accommodation Facilities (homestay program, camping, etc)

ü  Food & Beverage Facilities -restaurants specialising in local cuisines

ü  Souvenir shops selling locally produced products

ü  Gears & Equipment Shops specially for hiring watersports and hiking equipments

3.       Tourism Related Services

ü  Handicraft Training and marketing

ü  Tourist handling training

ü  Published Materials:  Guidebooks, Maps, Websites with a system of liaising with the service providers

·         Prioritization criteria in tourism sites

1.       Rich in natural & cultural attractions

2.        Authentic & unique features

3.       Addressing the leisure and esteem needs of the visitors

4.        Special interest activities & educational   experience for  the visitors

5.        Accessibility to ethnic peculiarities

6.        Relatively comfortable facilities e.g. lodging accommodation, places to eat, water supply, toilet facilities etc.

·         Effective communication strategy

1.       Logo and slogan/tagline

2.       Brochures/Posters/Banners/ Flyers

3.       Road Show Presentation of tourism sites

4.       Radio / Media launch

5.       Publicity Releases

6.       Website / web links

7.       Email blasts / online forums & groups

A Dhar

District Planning Officer

Dakshin Dinajpur

Bhaluka Beel Ecotourism - PPP mode

Bhaluka Beel Ecotourism project will be implemented in PPP mode. Date of opening of bid has been fixed on 30th April 2013 by the Govt. of West Bengal, Tourism Department.

Meanwhile, the District MGNREGA cell has taken up projects for re-excavation of certain portions of the Beel for increasing water retention, as well as is planning bird-friendly plantations by the side of the water body.

Concept paper on Lake Tourism in the district of Dakshin Dinajpur

Concept paper on Lake Tourism in the district of Dakshin Dinajpur

Introduction     :     Lake-like huge ponds locally called “dighi” with vast water area are found in abundance in this district.  Tapandighi (85.30 Acre), Kadmadighi (39.68 Acre), Mahipaldighi (61.16), Pransagardighi (45.58 Acre), Maliandighi (80.48 Acre), Gourdighi (58.09 Acre)….. are some of such water bodies where presently no other economic activity except pisciculture through traditional modes is done here.  Some of the water bodies do not require any re-excavation or cleaning but some others require these jobs in major scale for which convergence with MGNREGS is an available option at the disposal of district authority.

                                       All such water bodies are vested to the Government and leased out to different fish farming co-operatives on annual / biannual basis.

Potentials           :       Most of these water bodies have wide embankments on all the sides.  Though some of the sides are occupied by squatters for a pretty long time, a huge chunk of area for each such pond is available for construction of tourist shelter, cottage facilities for the tourist.  The water area needs to be maintained in a very clean environment and all the water-hyacinth and garbages have to be removed so that the entire water area can be utilized for (a) angling (b) boating (c) rowing (d) aquas’ sports on the water and Tennis Court, other sports facilities on the embankment and at the same time pisciculture through improved methods / technology can also be done.

Development Strategy       :      This is not going to be just a one time investment.  It is necessary to keep the water bodies clean for a continuous period.  Moreover the cost involved for these projects would be much on the higher side every year.  Unless the entire cost is raised from the tourist, these projects can not be self-sustaining.  It is therefore necessary to find out a suitable private partner who can venture for making such huge investments where mostly high-end tourist can avail the facilities for their leisure time.  Once a particular water bodies is developed in this fashion other water body located in at distance between 30kms – 40kms can also be developed one by one by the some or the other private partners in course of time and a cluster of such tourist destination can finally motivate the private investors to pour-in their fund in this purpose.

Conclusion      :     The project report individually sent along with the district plan was just an indicative plan to set up a certain infrastructure for the day tourists or tourists belonging to economy group for their day care centre etc.  But these projects need detailed study by experts groups for preparing detailed project report for execution of scheme which can be presentable to the tourists.

                                                                                                        Sri Durgadas Goswami, I.A.S

                                                                                                                 District Magistrate,

                                                                                                        Dakshin Dinajpur, Balurghat

Bhaluka Beel Ecotourism Spot

Situated within Hili block of Dakshin Dinajpur in Jamalpur GP, Bhaluka has the potential to turn into a dream destination for all kinds of tourists including nature lovers and bird lovers from all over the country and abroad. The pristine virgin beauty of the place with a substantial tribal population residing along its periphery presents an ideal destination for eco cultural tourism in line with similar European destinations.

Over twenty seven different varieties of migratory avian species, including Asian open bill Storks, Egrets, Little Green Bee eaters, Barbets, Coucals, Peregrine Falcons, Flycatchers, Orioles, Whistling ducks, Night Herons, Spoon Bills, Hornbills, different species of Owls, etc. visit this place all round the year.

The water body along with the peripheral marshy land measures about 70-80 acres with about 15 acres of vested land capable of housing facilities suitable to cater for the tourism industry. In the vacant land species of trees providing for the natural habitat of the birds is being planted under the MGNREG program under implementation by the block.

Tourists will be accommodated in eco-friendly residential facilities with bird watching arrangements and will be entertained by rides provided by manually operated country boats. Tourists may be provided glimpses of the Santhal and Oraon tribal culture by arranging for tribal dance shows and home stay arrangements with the tribals.

At a more mature stage of the project, provisions for birds’ rescue shelter, watch tower, birds’ museum/ nature interpretation centre and canopy walk amidst the habitat may be provided as well. 

CONCEPT PAPER ON RURAL TOURISM PROSPECTS IN THE DISTRICT OF DAKSHIN DINAJPUR

1.ANGINA- ECOLOGICAL CUM RURAL TOURISM PROJECT

ANGINA, a very special village on the border with Bangladesh,  in the district of Dakshin Dinajpur, Kumarganj Block under Samjia Gram Panchayet some 30 km away from the district headquarter – Balurghat, is a peaceful breeding place for the various migratory birds. It has been the rallying point for thousands of migratory birds since 1997. Angina is well connected by road with Balurghat which is also the nearest railway station.

WHY ANGINA- The Movement

This bird-village, is unique not only in the sense of being a complete birding destination but also as a place where birds, wild animals such as foxes, wild cats, big water lizards and human are habituated in sharing the common courtyard for peaceful co-existence without disturbing each other. It is one of those destinations where one can   sight avian fauna throughout the year.   The peak birding season usually starts from July and lasts upto November. It’s a home to an array  of winged visitors  both resident  and migratory.

Today the local villagers proudly describes the amazing journey which started over a decade ago. A committee had been formed among the villagers known as Angina Birds And Environment Protection Samity to safeguard the birds. The villagers started to give protection to their beloved feathered guests round the clock from the hands of the poachers. The villagers stopped using poisonous pesticides in their agricultural land. They started organic farming in the adjacent lands of the village. The children stopped using fire crackers during festivals.  Gradually the number of birds kept on increasing year after year. They found this village, a peaceful and safe haven for breeding.

However,it was a big challenge for the villagers to safe those poor little birds falling from their nests. The local children were encouraged to treat the ailing birds. With full enthusiasm the children came forward and shouldered the responsibility. The children like Tatai Shil, Suvendu Basak, Sebak Shil, Santu Mondal started collecting old sarees from the villagers, made bandages out of them and with every attention and love tied the bandages to the injured parts of the birds. They started collecting snails, shell-fish, crabs, frogs and insects from the adjacent rice fields and marsh lands and fed those ailing birds. The experts on birds told that it was an impossible task for them to save those birds as the open bill storks mainly feed the little ones by regurgitating the food. But it seemed that nothing could discourage or stop the children. The children living below  poverty line found it difficult to make both ends meet but gave full attention to the nursing of the birds. Finally the children with their zeal and determination saved the birds proving the experts wrong. One day without any warning those birds flew away from Angina . Next season the birds started landing again in Angina. The children could easily recognize the birds by spotting the bandages on their legs.

Today  Angina is one of the greatest spots for the breeding of the migratory birds. Different varieties of birds can be seen here including  Asian Open Bill Storks,   egrets,   herons,   barbets,   water hen,   cormorants,   kingfishers,   little green bee eaters,    verdiator fly catcher,    shrike,    coucal,    rufous treepie, owls,    parakeet,   sunbird,   Indian roller,   weaver bird,    tailor bird,      cinereous tit,    black hooded oriole,    chest nut tailed starling, adjutants etc. 

Besides all these, village life can truly be experienced here and above all it is a destination known for its rustic charm to the nature and bird lovers.

  

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER

The NGO, named Angina Birds and Environment Protection Samity (S/1L/14148 of 2002-2003) has been promoting tourism with conservation in the whole of the district. It has been playing  massive role in protecting, salvaging, maintaining and nourishing the migratory birds.

1. It is a ten year old NGO working heartily to promote village tourism in Angina.
2.  It is not debarred by any department under the Central Government or the State Government.
3. The NGO had won the Environment Excellence award in 2005. 
4. The NGO had encouraged the villagers to start home stay facilities for the tourists. Many tourists like professors of Shibpur Engineering college, bird experts, bird lovers from silchar , jodhpur came here and enjoyed the warm hospitality of the villagers.
5. It is maintaining a register where thousands of tourists from different parts of the world have registered their valuable comments.
6. The NGO has already encouraged the villagers to give their lands to start eco based tourism and some of them are so much interested that they want to donate their land for the sake of tourism.
7. The NGO organizes routine based awareness programmes among the people of Angina and the people of adjacent villages about the importance of environment and birds.
8.  The NGO has trained and recruited some of the villagers to help the tourists as guides.
9. The NGO does snail farming to feed the birds.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

The following things are required to develop the basic infrastructure of the village for promoting tourism :

1. A parking place required for parking of cars of the tourists.

2. Roads inside the village must be transformed from kuchha to pucca.

3. A eco- friendly tourist lodge inside the village for accommodating the tourists  apart from the home stay facilities to be developed.

4. Clean drinking water facility and proper sanitation required for day visitors.

5. A watch tower to watch the birds.

6. Colourful paddle boats in the pond with gardening and decoration to be introduced for the tourists

7. Eco friendly benches throughout the village and beside the ponds for proper sitting arrangements for the tourists.

8. A Bird rescue and rehabilitation centre along with a Nature Interpretation Centre.

9. A small handloom industry where the villagers can prepare different products for selling to the tourists.
                                           

2.KUSHMANDI CULTURAL AND RURAL TOURISM PROJECT

Kushmandi Block situated on the northern part of Dakshin Dinajpur is not only rich for its archaeological assets but also for its folk culture. Kushmundi is an important and famous place for its bamboo and wooden craft industry, Dhokra and Dangri art.

Mahisbathan (khunia Danga) and Usha Haran are  places in Kushmundi where wooden masks are made in huge variety especially from local woods. These masks of Mahisbathan are an important part of the social and cultural activities of the district. These masks are distinct as they represent Gods, Goddesses and characters from the mythology and history. These masks have become a popular theatre craft admired for its simplicity. Over the years these wooden masks have evolved into an admirable craftsmanship with its exquisite design and finish. Woodden masks of Mahisbathan are the creations of the artisans who with their exclusive use of cuttings and colours give the masks a touch of their originality. A co-operative society, namely Mahisbathan Hosto Shilpo Samabay Samity is running this mask industry in Mahisbathan. Not only this but also the Dhokra art is also a famous and exclusive art of Kushmundi where the artists prepare many shapes, dolls, idols from the jute. And the Dangri art is yet another art of Kushmundi where the artists make different and designer blankets out of old sarees and dresses.

The enriched folk songs of the rural areas of Kushmundi are famous for their unique styles and compositions. The folk songs reflect the inherent natural talent of the rural artists who compose the splendid music to refresh their mind and explore their hidden potentialities.

Important folk cultures of the region are

A)     KHAN, mainly performed by the rural communities and the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes is a kind of folk opera songs interwined with the dialogues.

B)     GAMBHIRA dance and Gambhira songs are quite popular in Kushmundi. Lord Shiva also known as Gambhir and Gambhir is originally celebrated as a puja worship. The dance is a combination of narrative song and music which resembles a folk play. The theme of the dance is based on social, political, economic and moral problems of the contemporary society.

C)      Mask dance locally known as MOKHA NACH is the common festival among the people of the rural areas which represent various ethnic groups. 

D)     NATUA is a kind of opera mainly based on the divine of Radha and Krishna.

E)        HALNA HALNANI  is a folk-opera type performance. Main characteristics are two fictious persons – Male Halna and Female Halnanai.

F)      CHOR CHUNNI is a popular folk art of the region depicting the rise and fall of various mythological characters.

G)     JALMANGA GAAN  is basically a prayer song sung by the females for the hope of rain in the drought season. 
      

Besides these Manasamangal Pala , Ba-Khela   etc are also the important traditional folk cultures of Kushmundi.

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER: Dishari Sankalpo (S/1L/44565 of 2007-2008)

It is a five –years-old NGO. It is not debarred by any department under the central or the state Government. The secretary, Mr. Tuhin Subhra Mondal have won the Anandaloke Selam Bengal Award in 2010 for environment conservation and environment education. They have been working for the creation of ecotourism spots and promotion of ecotourism. Though it is mainly an environmental organization but it is working also on various social problems and also to popularize science based activities in day to day life. It has organized environmental Awareness Rally.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

To promote rural tourism in Kushmundi , the thrust is for development of tourism infrastructure  at the identified site so that socio economic benefits percolate down to the rural community.  The following things are required to develop the basics to promote rural tourism  in Kushmundi.

1.  Development of pucca roads in the villages.
2. Accomodation of the tourists through  home stay facilities in the villages to be opened.
3. A Parking place for the vehicles with toilet facilities and eating joints to be created.
4.  Folk culture cultivation centre cum museum cum selling outlet to be opened.
5. Proper drinking water facility to be set up for the day visitors.
6. Proper sanitation facility to be set up within the village.
7. A restaurant with local traditional recipe to be opened for the tourists.
8.  A permanent stage to be made for the folk dancers to display their skills in front of the tourists.
9. Beautification and modification of Ayra forest.
10. A tree house with cottages can be made for accommodating the tourists. 

   11.  The remains of the Indigo factory can be modified to highlight its importance before the tourists.
                                  
                                  

BRIEF WRITEUP ON A PREMIER ECOTOURISM SPOT

 BHALUKA ECO TOURISM SPOT

BHALUKA BEEL, a completely unexplored, unidentified, virgin place, situated within Hilli block in Jamalpur GP, has the potential to turn into a dream destination for all kinds of tourists including nature lovers and bird lovers from all over the country and abroad. The pristine virgin beauty of the place with substantial tribal population residing along its periphery presents an ideal destination for eco cultural tourism in line with similar European destinations. Different varieties of migratory birds visit the place round the year. In vacant land, species of trees providing for the natural habitat of the birds are being planted under MGNREG scheme under implementation by the block. Tourists will be accommodated in eco-friendly cottages with bird watching arrangements and will be entertained by rides provided by manually operated country boats. Tourists will be provided glimpses of the Santhal and Oraon tribal culture by arranging for tribal dance shows and home stay arrangements . At a more mature stage of the project, provisions for birds' rescue centre, watch tower, birds' museum, nature interpretation centre, house boat, tree house, canopy walk amidst the habitat may be provided as well.,  over the country and abroad. If given little attention it can be the best and the biggest bird sanctuary in India.

FAQs :

1.       Where is  Bhaluka?

Ans: It is situated in Hili block near Jamalpur gram panchayet. A pucca village main road connects the place with Balurghat – Hili state high way at Teor.

2.       What is there in Bhaluka?

Ans: A large water body of 50 acres with marsh land, vested land of nearly 20 acres with thousands of migratory birds flocking.

3.       Why Bhaluka?

Ans: Firstly there is approximately 70 to 80 acres of land with huge waterbody which can be taken into account at a time to materialize the

project. Secondly the Asian open bill storks generally fly back during

winter. But surprisingly hundreds of open bill storks along with the winter migratory birds can be seen here in winter. That means a tourist can find birds of different species throughout the year. Not only that the largest variety and the largest number of migratory birds in the whole district can also be found here.

4.       How can Bhaluka be developed?

Ans: Bhaluka can be well developed through eco tourism. By maintaining the ecological balance of the environment and developing the economical condition of the villagers by making them participate in different activities of the eco resort.

5.       How can Bhaluka welcome the tourists.?

Ans: If once the dream project Bhaluka starts functioning, it will be a dream destination for the tourists. A warm hospitality will be awaiting for the tourists.

a)       The tourists coming to Bhaluka will be taken to the spot 1 km away from the road by colourful bullock cart. These carts will be driven by the local villagers. So this will be a source of income for them.

b)      Once they arrive they will be escorted to their eco friendly cottages made of bamboo and wood.

c)       They will be provided with local food prepared in the canteen. The chef and the canteen boys can be appointed among the villagers. So this will also be a source of income for them.

d)      After lunch the tourists can enjoy boat ride in the lake. The country boats will be ridden by the local villagers.

e)      In the evening the tourists can enjoy cultural tribal dance. The local tribes can be trained and engaged in it.

f)        In the morning after breakfast the tourists can go for a walk through the sanctuary and visit the watch tower. From there they can watch birds and can have a glimpse of the picturesque view of the sanctuary.

g)       After that they will come to visit the mini zoo.

h)      A museum on birds can be set up to enrich the tourists about birds.

i)    Before coming back the tourists will be provided with gifts made by the local villagers.

The fees for all the activities along with accommodation will be a lumpsum amount which is to be paid by the tourists at the time of booking.  

The following things are required to materialize the project.

1. ECO friendly cottages with attached bathrooms with all modern amenities.

2. Bullock cart

3. dining hall with canteen

4. Water tank

5. A road of 1 km for all seasons.

6. One dormitory for the drivers.

7. one parking place for the outside cars.

8. watch tower

9. a mini zoo

10.  a nature interpretation centre with a bird museum

11. a bird rehabilitation centre.    

12. country boats

13. binocular, torch, video camera, projector, raincoat. Etc.

14. afforestation

15. snail farming centre .

16. a small handloom industry