Bihar woos visitors with eco tourist spots

The Hindu Business Line

Attracts highest number of foreign tourists in 2011
Hyderabad, Jan. 6:

Bihar, the East Indian State known for its ancient Buddhist, Jain circuits and exciting pilgrim spots, has managed to attract more than 5.27 lakh foreign tourists as of November 2011, which is stated to be highest number of foreigners for any State in the country, according to a senior official of the Bihar Tourism.

“You should visit Bihar and enjoy what it has to offer. Be it lovely eco tourist spots where Black Bucks roam freely close to Nalanda or the majestic Garuda bird, which is a rare sight spotted in parts of Bihar, Assam and Cambodia,” Mr Navin Kumar, Deputy General Manager, Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, said.
Higher tourist iinflow

Speaking to Business Line after their first road show in Hyderabad, Mr Navin Kumar said efforts made by the Tourism Corporation have begun to yield results and have culminated in a whopping 1,32,33,304 tourists to the State, which includes 1,27,05,531 domestic and 5,27,773 foreign tourists during January- November 2011.

There is something for everyone – that is for those looking at ancient monuments and heritage, those on pilgrimage hopping from one Buddhist site to another or those who want to simply relax in one of the eco tourism locations.

For the discerning, there is a 10-day river cruise which combines best of river life, pilgrim centres and art and culture, he explained.
Infrastructure

The Bihar Government is seeking to attract domestic travellers now by developing quality infrastructure all by itself in some places and through public private participation.

The focus of a chain of road shows across the country is to remove the perception that there is lawlessness in Bihar and it is safe to travel and enjoy their holidays, he said.

vrishi@thehindu.co.in