PUNJAB to promote eco tourism in state -- Phillaur

Chandigarh, July 25, 2013: The Punjab government has planned a major eco-tourism initiative and would cultivate the land to be brought under eco-tourism plan by working out modalities with the Forest and Wild Life Department.

Stating this here today, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism Minister Punjab said that the focus would be on conservation of natural resources through awareness building, diversification of   tourism activities and destinations, and local community participation and synergy with general development of 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  creating environment parks, setting up interpretation centres, creating infrastructure, accommodation, facilitation centres, chalking out trekking routes, adventure sports,  procuring equipment like boats, vehicles have been initiated at various destinations. Some of the sites identified by 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 visitor facilities. Other unexploited areas of the state would also be exploited to boost eco tourism, he added. Highlighting more on Keshopur wetland, the Minister said that the key interventions include, development of visitor-cum-site interpretation Centre, including parking and toilet amenities, signage, development of embankment for storage of water, creating bird watch towers, plantation in 15 hectare of the wetland area along proposed facilities would be maintained by the Eco group formed by the local community under Forest and district administration. The mobilization, skill development and capacity building for the communities of 5 participating villages have also been kept as an important component of this project. Execution commenced in April-2013 through Forest Department and is likely to be completed by mid-2016, said Phillaur.