Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is preparing to emerge as a major wildlife tourism destination in the coming years. A high-level meeting was held in Lucknow with Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh and State Minister Arun Kumar Saxena of the Forest, Environment, Zoo, and Climate Change Department to plan the integrated development of the state’s wildlife and wetland sites.
Integrated Development for Tiger Reserves and Wetlands
The meeting outlined the development of the state’s four tiger reserves—Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Amangarh, and Ranipur—as well as 10 Ramsar sites and key wetlands. Minister Jaiveer Singh emphasized that the future of tourism in Uttar Pradesh is rapidly evolving, and the collaboration between tourism and forest departments will play a decisive role. He stated that the focus should be on solutions rather than problems, and the state aims to promote integrated and future-oriented tourism development.
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Eco-Tourism as a Tool for Conservation and Employment
State Minister Arun Kumar Saxena highlighted that the objective is to preserve UP’s rich wildlife and natural heritage while presenting it as a global tourism attraction. Eco-tourism, he noted, not only generates employment for local communities but also strengthens collective responsibility toward nature conservation. The ongoing development work at tiger reserves, Ramsar sites, and wetlands is seen as a major step toward positioning the state as a wildlife tourism hub.
The Forest Department proposed installing signage at Okhla Bird Sanctuary near Delhi-NCR and improving tourist facilities at Surajpur Bird Park in Greater Noida. Tourism Minister Singh agreed, noting that these sites attract large numbers of domestic and international tourists, making their development a top priority.
Focus on Infrastructure and Visitor Experience
The meeting also addressed infrastructure development at various wildlife and wetland sites, including nature trails, watchtowers, cottages, gazebos, welcome centers, RO water facilities, and improved signage. Adequate funding for these projects was emphasized. Discussions also covered the training of eco-tourism guides, drivers, and hospitality staff, as well as appointing consultants in coordination with the Forest Department to ensure world-class standards.
Tourism Model for the Future
The meeting underlined the importance of creating globally recognized eco-tourism models for tiger reserves and wetlands, including the Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Unnao), Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary (Gonda), Saman Bird Sanctuary (Mainpuri), Samsapur Bird Sanctuary (Raebareli), Sardi Bird Sanctuary (Hardoi), Sarsai Nawar Lake (Etawah), Sur Sarovar Bird Park (Agra), Upper Ganga River stretch (Brajghat to Narora), Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary (Sant Kabir Nagar), and Haiderpur Wetland (Muzaffarnagar).
The state aims to strengthen infrastructure, enhance visitor experience, and train personnel, ensuring Uttar Pradesh becomes a model for nature-based tourism in India.
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