The Punjab government has planned a major eco-tourism initiative and it will cultivate the land to be brought under the eco-tourism plan by working out modalities with the forest and wildlife department.
Stating this here on Thursday, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, tourism minister of Punjab said that the focus would be on conservation of natural resources by creating awareness, diversification of tourism activities and destinations and promoting local community participation and synergy with general development of the tourism sector.
The eco-tourism policy was aimed at informing and sensitising the general public and related government departments towards ecotourism and laying down the framework for its growth in the state in an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable manner.
He also said that sites to be brought under eco-tourism have been identified and developmental works of setting up environment parks, interpretation centres, building infrastructure, accommodation, facilitation centres, chalking out trekking routes, adventure sports, procuring equipments like boats and vehicles have been initiated at various destinations. Some of the sites identified by the Department of Forest and Wildlife Preservation, Punjab, would also be cultivated.
The tourism minister further said that the state government was developing Keshopur, wetland known for attracting migratory birds from Siberia and central Asia, spread over an area of 850 acres, as a tourism destination under eco-tourism plans by providing better infrastructure facilities, bird sanctuary, interpretation centre and other facilities.Other areas of the state would also be explored to boost eco tourism, he added.
