By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: Exploitation of tourist potentials would form part of developmental push being conceived for previous red strongholds of eastern Bihar. Prior to official declaration in February this year regarding end of extremism in state, the Jamui, Banka, Lakhisarai and Munger districts located in eastern Bihar had badly remained effected by extremism.
In the districts having strong maoist influence in past, the hilly forest areas mostly were strongholds of extremist. These picturesque areas having huge potential for tourism had virtually remained inaccessible for decades because of maoist presence.
With end of extremism there is serious consideration at government level on development of previous forbidden red zones through promotion of tourism. Jamui one of the worst maoist effected districts in past, is a case in point where initiative of tapping the untapped tourist potentials of previous red strongholds has been started by district administration for development of the areas.
As part of the initiative development of Chormara and Gurmaha villages located in Barhat block where extremists had formidable influence in past has been planned.
In a meeting jointly presided by Sri Navin and Vishwajeet Dayal respectively DM and SP of Jamui held last week, it was decided a developmental roadmap with focus on promotion of tourism would be prepared for both villages.
Addressing participants the DM said tapping potentials for tourism and small-scale industries in both villages would be major objectives of developmental plan. He favoured creation of facilities that would help promotion of experiential and educational tourism in the area.
Followed by the meeting, an official team visited Chormara and Gurmaha villages recently to identify measures required for overall development of the area. With purpose of promotion of tourism, the official team in course of visit to the area saw a natural waterfall and a hot water spring respectively located in Gurmaha and Chormara villages.
The Khaira block of Jamui district also a previous maoist stronghold, could figure prominently in tourist map of state in near future. The district administration has planned development of Panchbhur waterfall in the block popularly referred as Panchbhur Jharna for giving tourism a push in the area. Located in hilly forest terrain of Giddeshwar hill range, the scenic beauty of Panchbhur waterfall has all required ingredients of becoming ideal tourist destination.
For development of the place as major ecotourism destination, the official team during visit to Panchbhur waterfall identified measures needed for the purpose.
The Bhimbundh forest located in Haveli Kharagpur subdivision of Munger district also a forbidden red zone in past is already a place of major tourist attraction in this part of state. Despite huge natural abundance people avoided visiting the place in past due to strong maoist presence.
The Bhimbundh forest was developed as a major tourist spot after extremist activities were contained in the area few years back. There has been encouraging increase in tourist arrival at Bhimbundh forest in recent years. As per available information in the period between December 2025 and February 2026 approximately 50000 to 60000 people visited Bhimbundh forest.
Revenue earnings from entry tickets were Rs 18 lac and Rs 21 lac respectively in financial years 2024 -25 and 2025-26. Some ecotourism works aimed at further increasing tourist facilities at Bhimbundh forest is in progress at present.
As per further information apart from Bhimbundh, in adjoining hilly forest areas of Munger district that used to be safe hideouts of maoists previously, development works have been either conceived or is being undertaken to promote ecotourism.
In this context it may be mentioned road links have been established by forest department with tribal villages Kandini and Rajasarai villages located in picturesque hilly forest area of Haveli Kharagpur maintaining specified protocols of road construction in forest area.
Both villages remained inaccessible earlier from subdivisional headquarter in absence of road. The villages remaining inaccessible earlier served as shelter place for extremists. It is stated development of Ha Ha Kund and Bhawrakol beside some other waterfalls located in the area having formidable extremist influence in past is also in pipeline.
Though officially it could not be confirmed however as per information plan is in pipeline for developing some villages namely Vardaha and Jaguwagor Kodasi located in picturesque hilly forest terrain in Chanan block of Lakhisarai district as tourist places. It may be mentioned Chanan block of Lakhisarai district in past had remained badly hit by extremism.
About the Author
Avijit Biswas is a former reporter with the Hindustan Times, Patna Edition, based in Bhagalpur. He has more than 25 years of experience covering politics and other key beats across eastern Bihar. Known for his in-depth ground reporting and strong grasp of regional issues, Biswas has closely followed political developments and social trends in the region, earning credibility for accurate and balanced journalism. Avijt may be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.com
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