A high-level meeting of the Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board and the Forest Department was held at the Directorate of Tourism to accelerate eco-tourism development in the state. The meeting was attended by Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Jaiveer Singh and Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Forest, Environment, Zoological Gardens and Climate Change, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Arun Kumar Saxena.
Tourism Minister Shri Jaiveer Singh stated that the future of tourism in Uttar Pradesh is rapidly shaping new dimensions. In this changing landscape, integrated tourism development, responsible tourism, and close coordination with the Forest and Environment Department will play a decisive role. He emphasized that the state must move toward solutions rather than focusing on challenges, and with this approach, tourism development in Uttar Pradesh is now being pursued in an integrated and future-oriented manner.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Forest, Environment, Zoological Gardens and Climate Change Shri Arun Kumar Saxena said that the core objective is to conserve Uttar Pradesh’s rich wildlife and natural heritage while presenting it as a global tourism attraction. He noted that eco-tourism not only generates employment opportunities for local communities but also strengthens collective responsibility toward nature conservation. Ongoing development works in Tiger Reserves, Ramsar Sites, and major wetlands have infused fresh momentum toward establishing Uttar Pradesh as a Wildlife Tourism Hub.
During the meeting, directions were issued for the integrated development of Uttar Pradesh’s Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Amangarh and Ranipur Tiger Reserves, along with 10 Ramsar Sites including Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Unnao), Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary (Gonda), Saman Bird Sanctuary (Mainpuri), Samaspur Bird Sanctuary (Rae Bareli), Sandi Bird Sanctuary (Hardoi), Sarsai Nawar Lake (Etawah), Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary (Agra), the Upper Ganga River stretch (Brijghat to Narora), Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary (Sant Kabir Nagar) and Haiderpur Wetland (Muzaffarnagar), as well as several other wetlands.
Special efforts are being made to upgrade Nagar Van in Bareilly and Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary in Kannauj in an enhanced manner.
To provide a new direction to wetland-based tourism, the Tourism Department and the Forest Department are preparing a comprehensive plan under the ‘One District, One Wetland’ model. Under this initiative, 52 wetlands have been identified, and consensus has been reached on their integrated projection and development as unified tourism circuits.
The Forest Department proposed installation of signage at Okhla Bird Sanctuary near Delhi-NCR and development of tourist facilities at Surajpur Bird Sanctuary in Greater Noida. The Tourism Minister agreed to these proposals.
The Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board is also preparing to provide AI-powered chatbot and mobile application facilities for tourists. A presentation on these digital initiatives was made during the meeting, and valuable suggestions were received.
Senior officials present at the meeting included Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture Amrit Abhijat; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) Sunil Chaudhary; Director General Tourism and UPETDB Director (Administration) Rajesh Kumar; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) B. Prabhakar; Secretary, Forest Department, B. Chandrakala; APCCF and Managing Director, UP Forest Corporation, Sanjay Kumar; Tourism Advisor J. P. Singh; along with senior officers from the Forest Department, Forest Corporation, and Tourism Department.