January 16, 2019
Jangalmahal tourism circuit is thriving, thanks to Mamata Banerjee’s policies
The situation in Jangalmahal now is a far cry from what it was during the Left Front rule. As a result of the policies of the Trinamool Congress Government, there is peace. One of the primary ways in which Jangalmahal has renewed itself is through the promotion of tourism.
Hundreds of tourists now visit the popular sites as well as the unexplored locales in Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram districts.
Promoting the Jangalmahal tourism circuit, which includes areas of Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia, the State Government is not only putting up infrastructural facilities like cable cars, heritage hotels and lodges, but also inviting private investments to be a part of the endeavour.
The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) has started overnight packages where tourists are taken around unexplored areas of Jhargram district like Belpahari, Banspahari, Kankrajhor, Laljal and others.
The WBTDC is also promoting trekking and other adventure tourism in Kankrajhor.
The Forest Department has taken an initiative to set up one hundred homestays in Jhargram. The forest-dominated district of Jhargram has a lot of potential in tourism and homestays are a major enabler towards fulfilling that potential.
In Paschim Medinipur, the government has given focus on three places – Karambera Fort in Gaganeshwar village in Keshiary block, Karnagarh in Salboni block and Gongoni in Garhbeta block.
Karambera Fort shows signs of the architecture of ancient Odisha as well as of the Mughal period. Karnagarh is well-known for the remnants of a huge stone fort. Karna from the Mahabharata once supposedly ruled this place, and hence the name.
Gongoni is famous for its natural river canyon – a fascinating wide gorge of red soil on the banks of the River Silabati. The canyon is locally known as Gongoni Danga or Gongoni Khola.
