| Bhimalpur Forest | |
|---|---|
| Location | Bhimalpur, Katahan in Mehsi, Bihar, India |
| Nearest city | Mehsi |
| Coordinates | 26°21′46″N 85°10′23″E / 26.362904°N 85.172999°E |
| Area | 122.2 ha (302 acres) |
| Established | Afforestation project |
| Governing body | Bihar Forest Department |
Bhimalpur Forest (Hindi: भीमलपुर जंगल) is a forest area at Bhimalpur, Katahan in the Mehsi area of East Champaran district, Bihar, India. The forest covers approximately 302 acres (122 ha) and lies along the Burhi Gandak River. It is one of the important forest and ecological sites of the Mehsi area and has been proposed for development as a biodiversity park and eco-tourism destination."Man-made forest takes shape of tourist site in East Champaran". The Times of India. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2026.Building Climate Resilience of East Champaran (PDF) (Report). Asar Social Impact Advisors. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
Geography[edit source]
Bhimalpur Forest is located at Bhimalpur in the Mehsi area of East Champaran district, Bihar, India. The forest forms part of the geographical landscape surrounding Mehsi, an urban local body and administrative centre of the Mehsi area. The East Champaran district administration lists Mehsi Nagar Panchayat/Nagar Parishad among the district's urban local bodies and Mehsi as one of the district's administrative blocks.[1][2]
The forest is situated along the Burhi Gandak River, locally known in the East Champaran region as the Sikrahana River. The river passes through the forest and forms an important geographical feature of the site, with forest land occurring on both sides of the river.[3]
Bhimalpur Forest is approximately 7 km from Mehsi town. The proposed development plan includes improved road connectivity between Mehsi, the headquarters of Mehsi block, and the forest, together with a proposed hanging bridge across the Burhi Gandak and river-based tourism facilities.[4]
This places Bhimalpur Forest within the wider geographic and urban sphere of Mehsi while connecting the forest landscape with the Burhi Gandak river corridor and the surrounding settlements of the Mehsi area.
Afforestation[edit source]
The present forest developed through large-scale plantation and afforestation activities. In 2019, Jeevika women associated with the Didi Ki Paudhshala initiative began planting trees on previously barren land at Bhimalpur. Around 30,000 saplings were initially planted, followed by approximately 50,000 additional trees planted by the district forest department.[5]
The plantation programme has contributed to the development of a substantial green area in the Mehsi region. The forest department has reported wildlife including wild boar, nilgai and jackals in the forest area.[5]
The Bihar State Knowledge Management Center on Climate Change, under the Government of Bihar, has documented Bhimalpur Forest, East Champaran, including field visits and land-erosion observations.[6]
Proposed biodiversity park[edit source]
The Bihar Forest Department has proposed developing Bhimalpur Forest as a biodiversity park. The proposal has been described as a river-based biodiversity park because the Burhi Gandak flows through the forest.[7]
According to reports on the proposal, the project was planned on the model of the Yamuna Biodiversity Park in Delhi. Proposed facilities included walking paths, visitor amenities, eco-friendly infrastructure and measures for improving access to the forest.[5]
A 2022 report stated that a proposal had been prepared for the development of the 302-acre forest as a biodiversity park and tourist site. Proposed facilities included pathways, boundary infrastructure and other visitor amenities.[7]
Eco-tourism[edit source]
The proposed development includes nature-based tourism facilities. Plans reported by the forest department included a hanging bridge across the Burhi Gandak, boating or boat-safari facilities, nature-oriented visitor infrastructure and medicinal-plant areas.[5]
A separate report in 2022 stated that the proposed biodiversity park would include facilities such as seating areas, water features, eco-huts, an observation tower and visitor amenities.[8]
The proposed tourism development has received attention as a potential major nature-tourism attraction in North Bihar. Dainik Jagran described the proposed biodiversity park at Bhimalpur as a prospective tourist destination of North Bihar.[9]
Tourism and regional significance[edit source]
Bhimalpur Forest is one of the emerging natural attractions associated with Mehsi and the wider East Champaran region. Its combination of forest vegetation, afforestation areas, the Burhi Gandak River and proposed biodiversity-park facilities gives the site potential for eco-tourism and nature-based recreation.
The close proximity of the forest to Mehsi, together with proposed road connectivity and tourism infrastructure, has strengthened its association with Mehsi as a regional nature-tourism destination.[5]
See also[edit source]
References[edit source]
- ↑ "Mehsi Nagar Panchayat". Government of Bihar. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ "Sub-division & Block". Government of Bihar. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ "Man-made forest takes shape of tourist site in East Champaran". The Times of India. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ "Man-made forest takes shape of tourist site in East Champaran". The Times of India. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Man-made forest takes shape of tourist site in East Champaran". The Times of India. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "Bhimalpur Forest, East Champaran". Government of Bihar. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "बायोडायवर्सिटी पार्क के रूप में विकसित होगा भीमलपुर जंगल". Hindustan (in हिन्दी). 15 May 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "बायोडायवर्सिटी पार्क के निर्माण पर खर्च होंगे 22.34 करोड़". Hindustan (in हिन्दी). 7 December 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "Biodiversity park Bhimalpur jungle will become the first tourist destination of North Bihar". Dainik Jagran (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 4 September 2026.