Authorities of the Buxa Tiger Reserve are formulating plans for a major overhaul of the tourist facilities at the reserve. “We are preparing our eco-tourism plans in accordance with the guidelines given by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. Tourist lodges will be set up at seven spots in the buffer zone of the reserve,” Buxa Tiger Reserve Field Director R. P. Saini told The Hindu over telephone. Dr. Saini said the tourist lodge of the reserve can accommodate about 50 visitors, but once the plan is implemented it will be able to cater to nearly 250 tourists at any given point in time. Since the forest lodge cannot accommodate all the tourists coming to the reserve, many of them tend to live in guesthouses operating illegally in the area, he added. The project, to be implemented by the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation, is expected to be in place by the next tourist season which starts during the Durga Puja holidays, if the plans are approved, he said. Watch-towers Apart from guest houses, the reserve will also provide tents as accommodation for tourists. Watch-towers will be constructed at these clusters so that visitors can spot areas deep within the forest, Dr. Saini said. A greater emphasis on the educating visitors will be given by upgrading the nature interpretation centre and organising nature study tours. The authorities will also increase the vigilance on vehicles operating within the reserve, he said.