Tiger is the mainstay and elusive icon of wildlife tourism in the region. Tiger tourism is burgeoning day by day. In fact, parks such as Tadoba, Nagzira and Pench have reached their saturation point. There is no point in putting further curbs on tourism in these areas. Therefore, authorities should also promote forests outside protected areas to tourists states a TOI report.. These areas are just as rich in wildlife and have lesser restrictions. Something similar has been done at Kruger National Park in South Africa with good results.

FORM SEPARATE CORPORATION: The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation does not give due importance to the region and its forest wealth. Neither is there adequate promotion of the wildlife parks nor are proper funds provided to improve infrastructure. A dedicated body such as the Vidarbha Tourism Development Corporation can turn the situationaround. Moreover, the forest department should have dedicated staff just to handle tourism. This clear demarcation of duties has been done in Madhya Pradesh, and the results have been good. 

GET HELP FROM CENTRE: Pressure should be mounted on the Union government to open an office of the department of tourism in Nagpur, given that it is the access point for many high-profile tiger reserves in Central India. The office will bring in much-needed attention to Nagpur as Gateway to Tiger Country. Additionally, kiosks promoting tourism should be set up at Nagpur and even places like Amravati. Finally, the region's forests must be highlighted in the iconic Incredible India campaign.

INCREASE 'BRAND NAGPUR' VISIBILITY: It can be something as simple as NMC putting up hoardings and arches at the airport, railway station and market places about Nagpur's wildlife hub status. When airplanes land in Nagpur, announcements in the vein of 'Welcome to Tiger Capital Nagpur' can be made so that those from outside the state or India immediately associate tiger tourism with the city. Just as Kerala is synonymous with the tagline 'God's own country', Nagpur should be heavily marketed as Gateway to Tiger Country.

BRING BENEFITS TO LOCALS: Stringent forest guidelines call for restrictions on activities of people living on fringes of the forests. Villages falling inside reserves are rehabilitated outside protected areas. This may create resentment and alienate local communities, and may even create abettors to forest crimes. However, if these locals are employed as protection staff, forest guides, drivers or in tourist resorts, they will get benefits of tiger tourism. Revenue thus generated should also be pumped back to improve basic infrastructure in surrounding villages.

facilitate ONLINE BOOKING: Although Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation recently started online booking of its resorts, booking of wildlife safaris in tiger reserves is still a cumbersome affair. While safari booking for Tadoba has to be done in Chandrapur, that of Nagzira has to be done in Gondia. This is discouraging for most tourists. The model of MP tourism, which allows online checking of availability and safari booking, should be followed. This is imperative if tiger tourism of the region has to be promoted on the national and international level.

IMPROVE BEHAVIOUR: For tourists, a welcoming attitude is as important sound infrastructure and good amenities. Not just the government, even the general public should feel strongly about projecting Nagpur as the tiger capital. Just like we clean up our homes before guests arrive, Nagpurians should put things in order. This includes ensuring safety of tourists, having honest and courteous cab drivers, having helpful hotel staff and so on. Locals should make sure that they don't behave rowdily in parks and follow all norms.

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