Patna: To promote planned ecotourism and encourage private participation, the environment, forest and climate change department will organise an ‘Ecotourism Investors Meet’ in Patna on July 13.The department has invited investors from across the country to develop ecotourism projects at 29 reservoirs and 247 ponds, lakes, wetlands and other water bodies in Bihar. The initiative aims to link the state’s natural resources with tourism while promoting sustainable development, conservation and economic empowerment of local communities.According to a statement issued by the department on Saturday, the projects will be developed under the public private partnership (PPP) model. Selected investors will receive the identified sites on a 30-year lease and all necessary approvals will be granted within a fixed timeframe. Viability Gap Funding (VGF) will also be provided to ensure the projects remain financially viable.The projects have been divided into two categories. Group A comprises reservoir-based projects, for which participating agencies must have a minimum annual turnover of Rs 10 crore per site. For multiple sites, the limit will go up to Rs 50 crore.Group B covers projects based on ponds, pokhars, lakes and other water bodies. Agencies bidding for these sites must have an annual turnover of at least Rs 2 crore per site, with the upper limit fixed at Rs 10 crore.The department has already issued a request for proposal for an ecotourism project in Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary with July 28 set as the deadline for submissions. Expressions of interest have also been invited for other sites.Officials said the initiative would promote sustainable tourism, conserve natural resources, empower local communities and generate green jobs in Bihar.
