Champaran’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve Attracts Record Crowds for New Year Festivities

Patna: Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in Champaran is experiencing a massive influx of tourists for the New Year celebrations, with expectations of surpassing previous records. Over one lakh (100,000) visitors are anticipated at VTR’s various tourist destinations on Wednesday. The reserve and surrounding picnic spots are already bustling with activity as people arrive to mark the new year.

The main tourist centers within VTR – Valmikinagar, Manguraha, and Gobardhana – are preparing to host the large crowds. Local accommodation, including hotels, restaurants, and private residences, is fully booked, with many visitors planning to arrive early in the morning and set up tents for picnics.

This year’s anticipated numbers significantly exceed the estimated 70,000 tourists who visited VTR during the previous New Year period.

The VTR administration has implemented extensive arrangements to manage the large influx of tourists. Forest Conservator and Field Director Dr Nesamani K informed the media about the heightened security measures in place. These include the deployment of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel, district police, additional forest guards, forest rangers, and other forest staff. Continuous updates are being received from forest area officers, and heightened surveillance is being maintained on suspicious individuals at all tourist locations.

Alongside the New Year festivities, many visitors are planning picnics at various locations within and around VTR. Tourists began arriving as early as Monday at popular spots such as Paniyhawa on the banks of the Gandak River, the Dhanaha-Ratwal Bridge, Nautan-Bairiya, Amwaman in Majhaulia, the banks of the Pandai River in Bhikhnatohari, the Udaipur forest in Bairiya, and Nandangarh in Lauriya.

The administration has deployed security personnel, including magistrates and police forces, at all these locations to ensure public safety and order.