In an attempt to achieve the dual objective of boosting ecotourism and increasing employment opportunities, the Uttar Pradesh government has identified 56 ecotourism sites in 56 districts under the One District, One Destination (ODOD) scheme.
The concept, inspired by the state government's One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme, is about identifying one destination in every district that could be branded as an ecotourism spot to attract nature enthusiasts.
On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Forest Department is identifying potential areas in every district of the state to be developed under ODOD scheme so as to integrate these sites with tourism.
UP has several ecotourism spots but the most prominent are the tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and wetlands. The Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Upper Gangetic plain falling in Bahraich, boasts of having tigers and a mosaic of sal and teak woods. The Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary is notable for being the natural habitat of ‘barasingha (swamp deer).
Similarly, the Majhauli Sagar of Siddharthnagar, Badela Tal (lake) of Azamgarh and the Ghoomar Tal of Jaunpur will get special recognition as ecotourism destinations soon. Besides, many such areas endowed with serene natural beauty will be seen on the map of ecotourism.
Giving details about the scheme, an official of the Forest Department said, “There is immense potential for ecotourism in UP. The location of each district is suitable for specific natural, environmental or wildlife tourism. If these places are interconnected, then it can attract tourists for picnics or one-day-tours.”
The official added: “Similar places will be selected and developed under the ODOD scheme. Basic facilities like rest rooms, roads, electricity, water, toilets, as well as security arrangements will be made at the selected sites. An Ecotourism Board is also being formed for this.”
The 56 destinations include Dudhwa National Park in Lakhimpur Kheri, Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary in Chandauli, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich, Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary in Chitrakoot, Mahavir Swami Wildlife Sanctuary in Lalitpur, Soorsarovar Bird Sanctuary in Agra, Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Mirzapur, Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary in Meerut, Amangarh Tiger Reserve in Bijnor, Sohelwa Wildlife Sanctuary in Balrampur, Turtle Breeding Centre in Varanasi, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Pilibhit, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary in Unnao, Samaspur Bird Sanctuary in Rae Bareli, Lakhbahosi Bird Sanctuary in Kannauj, Sandi Bird Sanctuary in Hardoi, Bakhira Bird Sanctuary in Sant Kabir Nagar, Okhla Bird Sanctuary in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Saman Bird Sanctuary in Mainpuri, Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary in Gonda, Vijay Sagar Bird Sanctuary in Mahoba, Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Bird Sanctuary in Pratapgarh, Shekha Lake Aligarh in Aligarh, zoological parks in Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar and Gorakhpur, Lion Safari in Etawah, Mini Zoo Izzat Nagar in Bareilly, Dakhan Lake in Ambedkar Nagar, Badela Tal in Azamgarh, Khanpur Forest Block in Auraiya, Magahi Lake in Kanpur Dehat, Alwara Wetland in Kaushambi, Shahganj Wetland (Ghoomar Tal) in Jaunpur, Akhnai Lake in Fatehpur, Kuthila Lake in Farrukhabad, Samada Lake in Ayodhya, Sindhuwa Tal in Deoria, Diabani Temple Pailani in Banda, Bhaghar Wetland in Barabanki, Samdha Tal in Bhadohi , Jodhpur Tal in Mathura, Elephant Reserve in Saharanpur, Majhauli Sagar in Siddharthnagar, Ajjaipur Lake in Sitapur, Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonbhadra, Kandunala Forest Block in Amethi, Maudha Dam in Hamirpur, Nagla Shekha Wetland in Hathras, Sant Ravidas Van Vihar in Basti, Van Devi Temple in Mau, Municipal Corporation Biodiversity Park in Shahjahanpur, Chandanpur Ghatiyari Biodiversity Park in Kasganj, Chand Khamaria Krishna Deer Conservation Area in Prayagraj and Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surhatal) in Ballia.
