Dalma Goes Local: Villagers trained to welcome tourists
Pioneer News Service
Jamshedpur
In a significant step towards strengthening community-based eco-tourism, the Forest Department has launched a special capacity-building initiative for residents living around the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. The programme aims to equip local youth with professional hospitality skills, enabling them to play a leading role in managing eco-tourism activities while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Thirty members selected from five Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) have been sent to the prestigious Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Ranchi, for a week-long specialised training programme. The course focuses on hospitality management and guest etiquette to help participants meet the growing expectations of tourists visiting the sanctuary.
Dalma Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saba Alam Ansari said the trainees have been selected from five villages located within the sanctuary area—Makulakocha, Khokharo, Bandhadih, Tulin and Kadamjhor. These villages play a crucial role in the conservation and tourism ecosystem of the Dalma landscape.
The participants are receiving practical and technical training in guest hospitality, housekeeping, hygiene standards, food and beverage service, communication skills and professional interaction with visitors.
According to the Forest Department, the trained members will be able to professionally manage guest houses and other eco-tourism facilities within the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary after completing the programme. The initiative is expected to improve the quality of services offered to visitors and enhance the overall tourism experience.
Officials said the programme has been designed to make villagers self-reliant by preparing them for employment in the tourism sector. Besides creating direct and indirect livelihood opportunities, the initiative is expected to encourage self-employment through community-managed tourism services.
The Forest Department emphasised that the long-term success of wildlife conservation and sustainable eco-tourism depends on the active participation of local communities. By building the skills of villagers and involving them directly in tourism management, the department hopes to strengthen both conservation efforts and the economic well-being of people living around the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.
