• Jharkhand plans to promote ecotourism in the scenic Netarhat region

    Lifestyle
    Jharkhand plans to promote ecotourism in the scenic Netarhat region
    Netarhat is only 157 kilometres from Ranchi, the state capital, and is known for its lush hills, spectacular waterfalls, and...

    Digital Desk: The Jharkhand government aims to boost eco and cultural tourism at Netarhat, hidden in the lap of beautiful forests, situated at an altitude of 3,622 feet above sea level in Latehar district. 

    Netarhat is only 157 kilometres from Ranchi, the state capital, and is known for its lush hills, spectacular waterfalls, and enchanting beauty. Sunrises and sunsets are mesmerising here like an oil painting, according to Jharkhand tourism about the location known as the 'Queen of Chotanagpur' and which acquired its name from what Britishers used to call it - 'Nature's Heart,' according to old timers.




    "We have plans to enhance eco and cultural tourism here and hence create jobs for people," Latehar Deputy Commissioner Bhor Singh Yadav told PTI. Several projects are planned, including the promotion of homestay programmes in which tourists can live among the tribes." "The dwellings of the villagers entering the homestay project are being given a special identity by painting them with tribal hues - cream and white. In the first phase, 40 homes in Paseripat participating in the homestay programme are being painted. "In the second phase, 83 Sirsi residences will be painted," he explained.

    The inhabitants of Paseripat and Sirsi villages have all decided to participate in the homestay programme. 

    About 100 teenagers of Netarhat have been provided hospitality and catering training by the district administration and several people of Netarhat have experience of working in hotels and lodges. 

    "Travel through these trees to ease your spirit," Jharkhand Tourism states in a video showing the lush green woodlands. The road to Netarhat winds through a dense forest of pine, bamboo, mahua, palash, and saal.



     

    Latehar is home to several Particularly Vulnerable Tribe Groups (PVTGs), including Asur and Birajiya.

    "The beauty of the culture and lifestyle of the tribals living here can be viewed closely after coming to Netarhat," Shivendra Singh, Latehar District Tourism Officer, told PTI. They have their own language, culture, and way of life. Their love for nature may be seen in their farming, song-music, dance, culinary, and home-building styles." Major attractions include Koyal View Point (Sunrise Point), Magnolia Point (Sunset Point), Lower and Upper Ghaghri, Netarhat Dam, Netarhat Residential School, a pear and apple garden, pine forests, and Lodh Falls, the highest waterfall in Jharkhand, as said by Singh.

    Netarhat, like other prominent British hill towns, has a suicidal point, and legend has it that an English girl Magnolia fell in love with a local peasant and, after being rejected by society, decided to commit herself by jumping off the cliff. 

    A statue of the couple has been constructed at Magnolia Point. 

    Jharkhand is rich in natural resources such as forests and fauna, waterfalls, hills, and a diverse cultural legacy.

    The yearly tourist inflow has climbed from 4.53 lakh in 2000, when Jharkhand was formed, to over 3.50 crore in 2019-20, including 1.75 lakh foreign visitors. 

    According to Jharkhand Tourism Secretary Manoj Kumar, skywalk and ropeway projects are in the works. 




    The areas that the Tourism department have identified for these projects include Patratu in Ramgarh district, Netarhat in Latehar, Hundru, Jonha and Dassam falls in Ranchi district. 

    The Jharkhand government recently unveiled its Tourism Policy, which includes a series of fiscal incentives for those willing to invest in developing tourism facilities such as hotels and resorts, amusement parks, ropeways, and adventure sports in order to boost the sector and attract tourists to the state.