Bengal Govt to augment the tourism infrastructure at Henry’s Island

Kolkata, Aug 30: The West Bengal Government is going to enhance the facilities for tourists at Henry’s Island, a popular destination in Sunderbans in South 24 Parganas district. A centre for making people aware of, and appreciate, the unique mangrove zone of the Sundarbans, named Sundarban Interpretation Centre is being set up. The centre would house pictures and models accompanied by write-ups describing the floral and faunal features of the region. The State Government has also taken up an initiative for the operation of environment-friendly battery-run cars to transport people to the the beach in Henry’s Island. Normal passenger vehicles are banned from the beach zone to prevent the destruction of the soft sand under the impact of tyres. They have to be parked at a distance. Other measures being taken up to create a tourist and environment- friendly area include a sanctuary for migratory birds, restaurants along the main road to the beach and Wi-Fi zones across the island; some such zones have already been set up. Cubicles for bathing on the beach are also already there. The model for Henry’s Island is also being replicated at nearby destinations like Bakkhali and Fraserganj in order to facilitate a Henry’s Island Tourism Circuit. Similar facilities are being developed – for example, bathing cubicles on the beach and a big parking lot in Bakkhali, and lighting up Fraserganj. UNI