Punjab to Encourage Eco-Tourism

The government of Punjab is planning to push eco-tourism in the state and is working on the initiative with the forest 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.

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.

Punjab is a rich state in terms of wildlife and natural beauty and is blessed with forests, wildlife, and wetlands. It is also home to several endangered species.

To minimize the negative impacts and pollution that results due to rigorous tourism activities, concepts of eco tourism have come into place. Eco-tourism is built on the concepts of protecting environment, building up conservation awareness and providing a close nature experience for the tourists. Emphasis is in particular to involve local communities and undertake measures that can improve their economic conditions thus providing them incentives for conservation activities.

Reference and further reading;

Business Standard

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