Can U.P. play the next eco – tourism hotspot ?

Lucknow: A 'Samvad' program on eco-tourism in Uttar Pradesh was organized in the Mercury Hall of Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. The program was inaugurated with the lighting of lamps in the august presence of Minister of State (Independent Charge) Forest and Environment, Zoo and Climate Change Department Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu'. 

On this occasion, Forest Minister Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena said that eco-tourism is the best means to protect the natural environment. He said that various tourist places of the state are being expanded in the form of eco-tourism in a big way, the complete outline of which has been prepared by the Forest Department.

He said that the Forest Department will soon give it a concrete shape in collaboration with the Tourism Department. This will boost the tourism industry and create additional employment opportunities for the local residents.

He said that this will give impetus to the growth of the economy of the state. He said that on the lines of Kerala and other states, a hub of eco-tourism will also be established in Uttar Pradesh.

He said that Uttar Pradesh will be equipped with activities like outdoor camping and night safari.

Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu' said that Uttar Pradesh is naturally very rich and there are immense possibilities of eco-tourism here. Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, while addressing the program, said that the environment is being specially protected by developing and expanding tourist places and religious places in the state as eco-tourism.

In the inaugural session, Director (Administration), Eco Tourism Development Board, Director General Tourism gave the welcome address and put forth their views on the future and possibilities of eco-tourism.

In the program, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UP Eco Tourism Development Board and WII-NMCG for the development of eco-tourism in the Ganga River Basin.

Five sessions were organized in the program, in which discussions were held on various topics. In the first session, 'Uttar Pradesh, The land of Majestic tigers' was discussed. In the second session, a discussion was held on the topic 'Uttar Pradesh, Cradle of Indian Ornithology'. The third session discussed 'Uttar Pradesh, Pristine landscapses and beyond'. The fourth session focused on 'Uttar Pradesh, Ex-Situ Conservation and Eco Tourism'. The final session was an exchange of views with experts on 'Learning exchange with Experts: Pathways, signposts & milestones'. Stakeholders along with panel members were present in the discussion. During this, experts and people associated with the concerned field shared their views.