Salt Lake Central Park likely to get eco-tourism facelift

The Salt Lake ‘Banabitan’, also known as Salt Lake Central Park, may soon get a facelift. The state is planning to convert it into en eco-tourism destination with all latest amenities and facilities. The forest department has also decided to hand over the management of the park to West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Ltd (WBFDCL). It was, till now, being managed by the state forest directorate through the urban recreation forestry section. A senior official said that one of the main attractions, that is being planned, is a lotus lake. “It will have both boating and angling facilities,” the official added. Besides, A new parking arena and entrance shops and kiosks are also being planned to be developed. “In order to make it an attractive eco-tourism destination, the area will also house mini Jaldapara and mini Sunderbans points, a Bengali legend park, selfie point and signage and interpretation boards,” the official added. According to him, plans are also afoot to develop a garden and waterfront coffee shop. TVN Rao, managing director of WBFDCL, said that things are now in a proposal stage. “We have made some proposals but they are yet to be finalised,” he added. Through a later dated August 6, the department of forests said the MD of WBFDCL had, via another letter in July, made the proposal. “In order to be able to invest funds from its own coffers, the MD has requested the transfer of operation and maintenance of ‘Banabitan’ to WBFDCL,” the letter dated August 6 mentioned. “The said proposal has been examined by the state and it has decided to transfer its management to WBFDCL with immediate effect,” the letter stated. But, it has been decided that expenditure towards establishment cost and other administrative costs will be borne by forest directorate till March, 2022.