FIROZABAD (UP), FEB 16   :     Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh and State Minister for Environment, Wildlife, Parks, and Climate Change Dr Arun Kumar Saxena on Friday inaugurated ten eco-tourism projects developed by Uttar Pradesh Tourism.

The projects, including those in Raebareli, Pilibhit, and Lakhimpur, are aimed at promoting eco-tourism and feature attractions like the Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Botanical Garden and the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. During the inauguration ceremony, Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh highlighted UP’s leading position in domestic tourism within the country.

Singh expressed pride in UP’s leading position in domestic tourism. He emphasized ongoing efforts to attract international tourists stating that the development of tourist facilities along the Yamuna riverbank, particularly at Rapti, will significantly increase tourist footfall.

He highlighted the potential for water cruises from Rapti to Bateshwar then Agra, then to Mathura, and from Mathura to Gokul.
Dr Arun Kumar Saxena commended the continuous progress in UP’s tourism sector. He assured full support from the Forest Department for the development of tourist destinations. A total of 19 eco-tourism projects were approved in 2022-23, and 10 of them got their infrastructural facilities enhanced.

The inaugurated projects include the tourism development of Shikohabad Tehsil’s Rapti Wildlife Sanctuary in Firozabad, signage installation in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Mihinpurwa Tehsil of Bahraich district, and tourism development of Hathi Nala Biodiversity Hotspot in Sonbhadra district.

Besides development in the Mohammadi Range of South Kheri Forest Division in Lakhimpur Kheri, development of Samaspur Bird Sanctuary and Indira Gandhi Memorial Botanical Garden in Raebareli district, development of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, development in Kashi Wildlife Division under Ramnagar in Varanasi, development of Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary Keetham in Agra district and development of Amanagarh Tiger Reserve in Bijnor district are also included.

The inauguration marks a significant milestone in the state’s commitment to eco-tourism development and enhancing the overall tourist experience.(UNI)