The land of Uttar Pradesh is very rich in terms of natural, historical, cultural, religious and spiritual heritage and has immense potential for tourism. If nature is kept at the centre during the development of these areas in terms of tourism, then the possibilities of ecotourism increases further.
These places with confluence of nature, culture and adventure will become the centre of attraction for tourists from all over the country and across the world. For this, the Yogi Adityanath government has started making an ecotourism promotion policy.
Irrigation, Forest, AYUSH, Rural Development and other related departments will have an important participation in this preparation along with the Tourism department. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also directed the concerned departments to take coordinated initiatives in this regard.
Uttar Pradesh abundantly rich in terms of natural beauty
According to an estimate, about 35 per cent of the tourists prefer to go on eco-holidays with all the basic facilities available. Incidentally, there are many places in UP with beautiful natural scenery.
The lowland region of UP is very rich in terms of biological diversity. The dense forests are the natural habitat of tigers, elephants, deer, crocodiles, dolphins and many species of endangered birds due to the abundant water resources. The forests of Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri and Katarnia Ghat are the storehouses of biological diversity. Every year, a large number of tourists from all over the country and abroad come to see this biological diversity.
Similarly, the Fossil Park of Sonbhadra, which preserves the history of the beginning of human life, also attracts tourists interested in knowing the history of nature. The 150 million year old fossils in the state are the subject of research for the world. Spread over 25 hectares, this fossil park is bigger than Yellowstone Park in the USA. This is the reason it is included in the largest fossil park in the world.
Saubhari forest area to entice tourists
Soon, the Saubhari forest will also be inaugurated. CM Yogi often says that nature and God have infinite compassion on Uttar Pradesh. In view of these possibilities, the CM gave necessary instructions regarding the formation of the board. Earlier, he had reiterated his point that an Ecotourism Board should be formed to shape the possibilities.
Along with the conservation of heritage trees, the Kukrail picnic spot in Lucknow is also being improved further. Since his first term, CM Yogi’s intention has been to make Uttar Pradesh the country’s favorite destination for ecotourism. Under this, its scope is being expanded by adding village tourism in view of nine types of agro-climatic zones of the state.
Structure of the Ecotourism Board
The chief minister advised that the tourism department should be the nodal agency of the proposed Board. In this, the ministers of the concerned departments, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Director General and Director as well as qualified officers and experts of the Indian Forest Service should be included.
Local youth to get training to become nature guide
Propagation of tourism and cultural heritage values by the board, skill building of local communities for hospitality, preparation of travel itinerary for tourists, promotion of ecotourism sites, environmental forest and climate change for undertaking projects and coordination with the department will be done.
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Eligible youth will be selected and trained as ‘nature guides’ from the local people in ecotourism, wildlife and other forestry works. The villages situated in the middle of the forests inhabited by wild animals will also be properly settled with their consent.
Mukesh Meshram, Principal Secretary Tourism, stated, “In totality, for the planned development of the tourism sector in the state in 2018, the tourism policy has mentioned many places in the ecotourism circuit. According to the intention of CM Yogi, basic facilities are being developed at all these places for the convenience of the tourists. Moreover, the branding is also being done so that the maximum number of tourists come here and enjoy nature.”