The forest departments plan ofconverting Bhandardara into a base station for eco- and adventure tourism has been shelved due to lack of funds.

The proposal was to promote Bhandardara, which is 70 km from Nashik city, as a wildlife base to attract tourists for adventure tours and sightseeing. It was sent by the divisional manager of Nashik's Forest Development Corporation Management (FDCM) on November 19, 2012.

Arvind Vispute, conservator of forests (wildlife) told TOI, "The funds for the project were not sanctioned by our head office so it will not take off this year. But we will send in a proposal again next year."

The budget allotted for the purpose was Rs 63 lakh and was expected to be sanctioned for implementation in the current financial year. The project was to be done with the assistance of MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation). The divisional forest office in Nashik was to take care of the entire project as per TOI report.

Initially, the forest department had proposed two base stations for eco-tourism and adventure tourism to the office of the principal chief conservator of forests in Nagpur. However, the chief conservator rejected Makhmalabad nursery and chose Bhandardhara instead. They have now dropped the entire project due to insufficient funds. The forest department has suffered a setback with the rejection of the proposal by the principal chief conservator's office.

According to the plan, the forest department would supply the infrastructure for eco-tourism and adventure tourism. The forest department was also to provide four guest houses and a dormitory. Landscaping, irrigation, furniture, parking facilities community cooking facilities, binoculars, cameras, LCD TVs etc. would be made available by them. The department would also take care of transportation, food, housekeeping, tour guides among other facilities.

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