Nagpur: Tourists visiting Pench Tiger Reserve will soon be able to enjoy a unique and eco-friendly experience a solar-powered boat safari along the Pench River. Starting December, visitors can embark on a tranquil 23-kilometre journey from Kolitmara to Kuwara Bhimsen, near the Navegaon-Khairi reservoir.
Deputy Director of Pench Tiger Reserve, Akshay Gajbhiye, said the Forest Department has procured a state-of-the-art solar and battery-powered catamaran worth ₹1 crore from Cochin-based Navalt Solar and Electric Boats Pvt Ltd, a company known for manufacturing hybrid and solar-electric vessels. The catamaran can accommodate 24 passengers at a time.
The department has ordered two such boats, with the second one expected to arrive by the end of November. Both vessels will become operational for tourists once construction of the jetties at Kolitmara and Kuwara Bhimsen is completed later this month.
“One boat will ferry tourists between Kolitmara jetty and Kuwara Bhimsen, which is also a religious site for local tribal communities,” Gajbhiye said. He added that all necessary safety precautions have been taken, including measures to address concerns about crocodiles in the river.
Local youths have been trained in operating, handling, charging, and maintaining the boats, while technical inspections and third-party safety checks have also been completed.
Although the Forest Department already uses a petrol-powered boat at the Totladoh reservoir for anti-poaching and surveillance, the new solar boats are specifically designed for tourism. The initiative received its final approval from the Water Resources Department’s Regulatory Board during a recent meeting in Mumbai.
Highlighting the environmental benefits, Gajbhiye said the solar-electric boats will operate without generating noise or air pollution, allowing tourists to experience Pench’s natural beauty in a sustainable way. With both boats expected to be fully functional next month, the solar catamaran safari is set to become a major new attraction in the region’s wildlife tourism circuit.
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