Aligned with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision to make Uttar Pradesh an eco-tourism hub, the UP Forest and Wildlife Department is all set to launch a ‘Buffer Mein Safar Yojana’.
Aimed at promoting sustainable tourism while preserving the state’s rich natural beauty and biodiversity, the scheme will focus on developing safari routes within the buffer zones of major tiger reserves.
New safari routes will be created in tiger reserves like Dudhwa, Pilibhit and Uttar Kheri, with specific attention to areas such as Bhira and Mohammadi, which hold significant potential for eco-tourism.
The department also plans to engage and empower local communities by training them as guides and restaurant operators, generating employment and enhancing the tourism experience.
These efforts have already started yielding results, with a sharp increase in the number of eco-tourists visiting the UP backwaters in recent years.
The Yojana is scheduled to begin during the monsoon season.
To attract tourists, arrangements are being made to keep the tiger reserves open for more days.
The biggest benefit of the ‘Buffer Mein Safar Yojana’ is that it reduces conflict between humans and wildlife while giving tourists an adventurous jungle experience.
To promote eco-tourism, the department is also expanding opportunities beyond tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
As such, areas like Bhira and Mohammadi in Lakhimpur Kheri are being developed as eco-tourism spots. A tourist circuit has been created in Gola, Mohammadi Range, and Bhira in South Kheri.
The Semrai Lake, which is famous for being a bird migration site, will be included in the circuit for tourists.
Jungle safaris have started in the buffer zone of Kartaniya Ghat, which is located near the Nepal border.
The natural beauty, biodiversity and richness of wildlife in these areas will become major attractions for tourists.
A modern information center has been set up in the Dudhwa tourism complex to provide information about the area’s biodiversity, wildlife and local culture.
It will also raise awareness about environmental protection.
In addition, local people are being trained as nature guides, canteen staff and cooks.
This training will not only improve their skills but also ensure high-quality services for tourists. It will also create new job and income opportunities for local youth.