State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 29 Nov 2025

Bihar Approves Upgrades to Forest and Eco-Tourism Infrastructure

Why in News? 

The Bihar government has approved ₹10 crore for a series of forest infrastructure and eco-tourism improvement projects across multiple districts, aiming to strengthen conservation, visitor facilities, and forest protection mechanisms. 

Key Points 

• About Forest Infrastructure Projects: 
  • The funding will support upgradation of forest roads, rest houses, interpretation centres, and watchtowers, particularly in Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR), Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary, and forest areas of Rohtas and Kaimur. 
  • A major focus is improving patrolling tracks, anti-poaching infrastructure, and rapid response capacity for forest staff. 
  • Funds are allocated for digital monitoring systems, camera-based surveillance, and establishment of new field stations to support wildlife protection. 
• About Eco-Tourism Development: 
  • The plan aims to strengthen eco-tourism around key sites such as Valmikinagar, Kaimur hills, and Rohtas plateau, including upgrades in visitor amenities, signage and interpretation, nature trails, and eco-friendly cottages and solar-based facilities. 
  • The government intends to promote community-managed eco-tourism, involving local forest-fringe villages for livelihood generation. 

Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR)

• Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) is located in Bihar’s West Champaran district in the Terai region, and is a major eco-tourism and biodiversity hotspot. 
• The reserve lies along the India–Nepal border and directly adjoins Chitwan National Park, forming an important transboundary conservation landscape. 
• Its river systems are dominated by the Gandak (Narayani) River, which create extensive floodplain grasslands, sal forests and Terai wetlands. 
• The vegetation comprises moist deciduous forests, riverine forests, savannah-like grasslands. 
• The reserve supports species such as tigers, leopards, Indian gaur, sloth bears, sambar, chital, hog deer, hyenas and even Gangetic dolphins in suitable river stretches. 

Ultra-Luxury Caravans for Heritage Circuit

Why in News? 

The Bihar government has launched ultra-luxury caravans to promote high-end tourism, offering 5-star travel experiences across major heritage circuits in the state. 

Key Points 

• Bihar has unveiled a fleet of ultra-luxury tourist caravans designed to provide premium travel across historic and cultural destinations, aiming to attract high-spending domestic and foreign tourists. 
• The caravans are equipped with five-star amenities, including plush interiors, private suites, kitchenettes, modern restrooms, entertainment units, and panoramic windows for enhanced travel comfort. 
• These caravans will operate on curated heritage circuits, allowing tourists to explore sites such as Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, Vikramshila, and Patna’s Gandhi Circuit. 
• The initiative has been launched under Bihar’s broader tourism-development strategy, which focuses on high-value, low-impact tourism to boost revenue while preserving heritage.