Sitting barren right next to the River Yamuna, the place where the Rapdi Eco Tourism Centre stands today, was a site of dying biodiversity. 

It was the efforts of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Vikas Nayak and his team that the place is now a budding spot for eco-tourism.

“There was something about the land that made me want to conserve biodiversity. When I saw the place, I could envision a spot much more than a barren plot. I immediately started to draw a plan with my team,” he shares.

He formulated a project and presented it to the forest departments, securing funding in March 2023. The team began their work soon after. The Rapdi Eco Tourism Centre was opened to the public without an entry fee in February 2024. “The place was also made keeping in mind that Agra — which attracts a lot of tourists — is nearby. This ensures that the place might get more visitors,” shares Vikas.

The ecotourism centre offers a plethora of activities amidst its lush greenery and biodiversity. The place includes a ‘geo trek’, wooden cottages for visitors to book and stay, speed boating, bird watching spots, cave explorations, a butterfly park, and a cafeteria.

Additionally, they incorporated some elevated features, resembling a hillside terrain, and developed geo treks for exploration.

“We have established butterfly spots where visitors can learn about the forest and river ecosystems,” Vikas says. Vikas mapped out a plan that would help the local community grow by providing opportunities for them to manage the canteen, parking facilities, and collect the entry fees.

The place is a 100 percent plastic-free zone. “We are not allowing any plastic inside the park. We are also working with SHGs (Self Help Groups) and sourcing local art pieces such as jute bags and wooden art pieces to sell to the visitors,” he informs. On its opening day, the Rapdi Eco Tourism Centre had about 1,100 visitors swarming the place.