The Jharkhand government is gearing up to promote eco and cultural tourism in Netarhat, a place nestled in the heart of pristine forests and perched at an altitude of 3,622 feet above sea level in the Latehar district.

Netarhat, located just 157 km from the state capital Ranchi, is renowned for its lush hills, majestic waterfalls, and captivating landscapes. Jharkhand tourism describes the place as the ‘Queen of Chotanagpur’ and reveals that it acquired its name from what the British used to refer to it as – ‘Nature’s Heart,’ as recalled by the elderly residents.

Latehar Deputy Commissioner, Bhor Singh Yadav, shared, “We have plans to promote eco and cultural tourism here and thereby also create employment for locals. Various initiatives are underway, including promoting homestay programs where tourists can enjoy living with the tribes.” He explained that the homes of villagers participating in the homestay program are being given a distinctive identity by painting them with tribal colors – cream and white. In the first phase, 40 homes in Paseripat are being painted, and in the second phase, 83 houses in Sirsi will undergo the same transformation. All the villagers of Paseripat and Sirsi villages have agreed to join the homestay program.

About 100 young individuals from Netarhat have received hospitality and catering training from the district administration, and many villagers in Netarhat have prior experience working in hotels and lodges.

Netarhat’s stunning natural beauty is evident in panoramic videos shared by Jharkhand Tourism, and the road to Netarhat takes travelers through lush forests filled with pine, bamboo, mahua, palash, and saal trees.

Latehar is home to Particularly Vulnerable Tribe Groups (PVTGs) such as Asur and Birajiya, among others. Latehar District Tourism Officer, Shivendra Singh, highlighted the rich culture and lifestyle of the tribals in Netarhat, emphasizing their unique language, culture, and way of life, which can be experienced up close.

Major attractions in Netarhat include Koyal View Point (Sunrise Point), Magnolia Point (Sunset Point), Lower Ghaghri and Upper Ghaghri, Netarhat Dam, Netarhat Residential School (termed as a nursery for bureaucrats), pear and apple gardens, pine forests, and Lodh Falls, the highest waterfall in Jharkhand.

Like other famous British hill stations, Netarhat also has a suicide point, and according to folklore, an English girl named Magnolia fell in love with a local peasant and, shunned by society, tragically committed suicide by jumping off a cliff. A statue of the ill-fated couple has been erected at Magnolia Point.

Jharkhand is blessed with natural treasures like forests, wildlife, waterfalls, hills, and a rich cultural heritage. The annual tourist influx has risen significantly, from 4.53 lakh visitors in 2000 when Jharkhand was established, to over 3.50 crore in 2019-20, including 1.75 lakh foreign visitors.

Jharkhand Tourism Secretary Manoj Kumar revealed plans for skywalk and ropeway projects at various locations, including Patratu in Ramgarh district, Netarhat in Latehar, Hundru, Jonha, and Dassam falls in Ranchi district.

The Jharkhand government has recently unveiled its Tourism policy, along with fiscal incentives to encourage investment in tourism facilities such as hotels, resorts, amusement parks, ropeways, and adventure sports, with the aim of boosting the sector and attracting tourists to the state.