Chirag Gupta
Nawada: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated new tourist facilities at Kakolat Waterfall in Nawada district’s Govindpur block on Saturday, marking the occasion with a plaque unveiling and ribbon cutting. During the event, Nitish inspected the newly provided amenities and officially opened the Forest Rest House ‘Aranyadhara’. A short film depicting the development journey of Kakolat Waterfall was screened, and key officers who significantly contributed to the project were honored with citations. The Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister, Dr. Prem Kumar, welcomed the Chief Minister with a symbolic gesture and bouquet.
Kakolat Waterfall, a popular tourist destination attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, has long struggled with inadequate facilities. Following Chief Minister Nitish’s initial visit in 2013 and subsequent directives, several enhancements were made between 2013-14. Further improvements commenced in 2022, leading to the current inauguration of eco-tourism facilities designed to make the site more accessible, safe, and attractive. The installation of iron nets for stone stabilization has mitigated the risk of falling rocks, and newly constructed stairs provide easier access to both the waterfall and the reconstructed pond below.
The newly developed facilities at Kakolat Waterfall include an eye-catching main gate, six cafeterias, a selfie point, an administrative building, toilets, a ticket counter, a lounge, and a tourist information center. Additionally, the site now features sit-outs, changing rooms, purified drinking water stations, and a children’s zone complete with a park and swings. A parking lot, numerous benches, and food shops have also been established to enhance the visitor experience and provide local employment opportunities.
With these eco-tourism developments complete, the previously closed waterfall is now open to the public, sparking joy among local residents. The inauguration ceremony was attended by various public representatives and senior officials, including the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary, Deepak Kumar, and the Secretary of the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Department, Bandana Preyashi, among other dignitaries.
