Eco Tourism in Bihar
A sprawling tiger reserve forest sanctuary spread over 840 sq. kms from Valmikinagar to Thari and Rampur along the Nepal border forms Bihar’s only forest spread. The beauty of the area is amazing, lying as it does at the foot of the Himalayan ranges whose sight on clear days is breathtaking.
Valmikinagar is probably the quietest retreat that any tourist can aspire for. Overlooking the Himalayas, it is by the side of the clear blue – gree Gandak floiwing down from Nepal, close to the site where the famous mythological “ Gaj Grah yuddha” or elephant – crocodile duel began, culminating in the Ganga at Hariharnath at Sonepur, the site of Bihar’s most famous annual fair.
An hour’s driver through the forest takes you to Valmiki Ashram in Nepal where Sita is believed to have lived with her sons, Lav and Kush, after being banished by her husband Lord Rama from Ayodhya.
Nar – devi, a temple said to have accepted human sacrifices in ancient times, is also close by. The temple draws devotees from both sides of the border, as also the auspicious baths on Kartik Poornima and Tila Sankranti in Gandak.
The Done forests, which are a part of the tiger reserve, forms arguably the prettiest area hidden forom the tourist thus so far. Done means a bowl. Inhabited by Tharu and Oraon tribes, the area is an unadulterated nursery of their culture, folk art, song and dance forms.
Sanctuaries And Parks in Bihar
If you think Bihar is not a destination for eco tourism, you are wrong. Come to Munger and you will find dense forest in the south western part of the district in famous Kharagpur hills range. And at the foothills are several hot springs of which the finest are Bheemband, Sita Kund and Rishi Kund.
All the three hot water springs are located in Bheemband village, about 60 kms from the district headquarters. The last 10 km of the approach road passes through lush green sal forests.
Of the above mentioned three hot water springs, Bheembandh is a unique one as it happens to be the only flowing hot spring in the country. Besides, there are many other no so significant hot spring called “ Tatal oaani” or Tapta paani” in and around the village.
The hot springs of the region have found mention in several places. The district gazetteer of Monghyr ( Munger’s name during the pre – independence period published in 1926 quoted British official captain Sherwill as saying “ The fist spring is situated about 300 yards north of the village immediately under a small detached hill named Mahadeva from whose base water came out in a fine stream of the temperature of 1470 degree Fahrenheit. A few hundred yards farther north, at the Damadama foothills, we came upon a region of hot springs. Hot water appeared to be sprouting form the ground in every direction; the principal spring, of which there are eight to ten, had a uniform temperature of 1450 degree F, all rising within a space of 300 square yards.
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