Punjab submits eco-tourism project to Centre

Today, the Punjab government said that an eco-tourism project proposing eco-development in different wetlands and protected areas has been submitted to the Centre under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

State Tourism Minister Sohan Singh Thandal said that various eco-development activities have been proposed in this project which include development of nature trails, strengthening and development of infrastructure for the purpose of tourism development.

Giving information about the activities of the state government for promotion of eco-tourism, Thandal in a release said that the SAD-BJP regime has formulated and notified the Punjab Eco-Tourism Policy 2009.

He said that there are two types of eco-tourism projects in Punjab. One which is directly implemented by the government and others that are being run by private enterprises.

The government has taken up the eco-tourism project in Keshopur Community Reserve, Gurdaspur. The reserve has been notified by the Union Government under the Wildlife (Preservation) Act, he said.

"Major portion of the Community Reserve is a wetland in which migratory birds flock every year. Last year, the bird count was about 25,000 and the number is increasing every year due to the development works being taken by the department. Total area of the wetland is 852 acres," he added.

Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, theme-based tourist circuits will be developed in the state catering to both mass and niche tourism in a holistic manner.