Context:
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a Vistadome coach service linking the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich district with the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Pilibhit.
More On News:
- This initiative marks Uttar Pradesh as the first state in the country to offer a jungle safari experience via a Vistadome train.
- The newly launched tourist train features specially designed coaches with large glass windows and transparent roofs, providing panoramic views of the forest landscape.
- This initiative is designed to give travelers an exciting wildlife experience while highlighting the natural beauty of the state.
- Currently, the service runs on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) but there are plans to expand it to daily operations, increasing accessibility for visitors throughout the year.
- This expansion is also expected to create local job opportunities and stimulate the regional economy.
- The goal is to make the state’s forest regions nationally and internationally renowned under the concept of “One Destination, Three Forests.”
- As part of this initiative, Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat, and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary have been combined to offer tourists a convenient and thrilling experience with the operation of the Vistadome coach.
- The Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board has introduced this service to provide tourists with a distinctive nature trail and jungle safari experience year-round.
- Through the Vistadome coach:
- Tourists can travel 107 km inside the forest and closely experience natural scenery, biodiversity, and wildlife.
- The journey lasts approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes.
- The train service is also affordable, with a ticket priced at Rs 275 per tourist for the route from Katarniaghat to Dudhwa National Park.
- The Bichia to Mailani Tourist Passenger Train offers a 107-kilometre journey through diverse and rich biodiversity.
- Departing from Bichia station in Bahraich, the train travels through multiple stations before reaching Mailani station in Lakhimpur Kheri.
- The train makes stops at nine stations, including Bichia, Manjhara Purab, Khairatia Bandh Road, Tikunia, Belerayan, Dudhwa, Palia Kalan, Bhira Kheri, and Mailani.
- The Vistadome coach service travels through forests and wildlife sanctuaries, giving tourists a close-up view of natural landscapes such as wetlands, grasslands, farmlands, and woodlands. This service is anticipated to attract visitors even during the monsoon season.
- This initiative is set to boost tourism and create local employment opportunities.
- It will also strengthen the regional economy by engaging homestay owners, resort operators, and travel agents.
