India: New forest PA plan emphasizes public–private partnerships
NAGPUR: Participatory management approach, involvement of eco-development committees (EDCs), developing tourist circuits, entrepreneurship development among locals and issuing privilege cards to high-end tourists are some of the prominent features of the Rs40-crore ecotourism plan for 31 forest areas in Vidarbha submitted by a Pune-based consultant.
The 31 sites include protected areas as well as forests having rich biodiversity.