Ranikhet – a few new Eco-tourism destinations (Ranikhet Nature Awareness center & camping site)

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Ranikhet – a few new Eco-destinations

(Ranikhet Nature Awareness center & camping site)

The view of the entry gate to the Nature awareness center & camping site

A counter set up at the entry gate - colorfully decorated with animated figures

Panoramic view of the camping site in the center

            I have posted several blogs in the past about the various tourist destinations in Ranikhet, although they too did not contain details of all the destinations.  However, of late Ranikhet is being developed as an eco-tourism destination and in this series the second such center to be developed by the Almora Forest Division is the ‘Ranikhet Nature Awareness Center & Camping site’.  This center has been developed near the famed temple of Binsar Mahadev and this region is a notified forest area, with a British era ‘forest rest house’ situated in the vicinity and me alongwith some of my office friends had stayed there way back in December, 2013 (am sharing a few of those photos to give a visual feel of the area about ten years back).  This center as has been set up now, was inaugurated by the local MLA Shri Karan Mahra on 12^th August, 2021.

The British era forest guest house in the vicinity of the Nature awareness camp

A silhouette of the Binsar forest in early morning

A Verditer flycatcher in the Binsar forest

            This center is situated near village Sauni, which is about 12 Kms. away from Ranikhet on the Ranikhet-Ramnagar State Highway.  On this Highway itself, as one traverses towards Bhatraujkhan, the road bifurcates from a point called Soni daat (about 1 Kms. from Sauni village) leading towards the famed Binsar Mahadev temple and other villages beyond like Devlikhet, Chamarkhan etc. and after traversing a distance of about 600 odd meters, one comes upon the entry gate of the said ‘Ranikhet Nature Awareness Center & Camping site’.  The site has been developed along a small rivulet flowing through the forest and there are about 09 (Nine) riverside camps that have been set up with several common toilets placed alongside for facilitating the visitors during their stay.  In order to provide proper security, within the environs of the forest, this area is properly fenced all around, to protect it from encroachment by the wild animals.  The place has a big dining space cum restaurant, where the resident visitors as well as the other daytime visitors can order some food and drinks.  The cost of stay per tent for two persons is Rs.1500/- per night.  The region boasts of a plethora of birds and for adventure tourism lovers there is mountain bike trail with cycles being provided (at a nominal cost) to the visitors alongwith treks within the forest also being organized through trained guides.  A 3D small movie theater with a seating capacity of about 15 (Fifteen) persons is also operational for the visitors at a nominal fee.  The entire complex has been tastefully decorated with paintings of birds and animals painted on the buildings within the complex.  It is a must visit destination for nature lovers (I have placed a copy of the pamphlet of the complex for contact purpose.) and here is a link to the inaugural function of the camp -                   https://ne-np.facebook.com/theproductionpronews/videos/199782995512894/

Nature awareness center and camping site, Soni village,  Ranikhet is on Facebook also (may check out the photos) - https://www.facebook.com/sonitourism/

A copy of the information bulletin of the center

Here is a link to my video of the destination –

© S Roy Biswas