Friday, November 8, 2024 Uttar Pradesh launches new tourism initiatives in core tiger zones, aiming to boost eco-tourism while raising concerns among conservationists over wildlife protection. The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government has introduced new tourism ventures within the core areas of its tiger reserves, moving forward with projects despite instructions from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to remove tourism structures from these sensitive zones. Core zones in tiger reserves, designed to minimize human impact, are intended as safe havens for tigers and typically restrict tourism, following a 2019 NTCA directive grounded in a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that prohibited new permanent tourism facilities within these areas.
In contrast, UP’s current approach includes developing ecotourism and boating facilities inside these core zones. For instance, a boating area has been created in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve’s central area, along with a bamboo cabin on Chukha Beach along the Sharda River to attract visitors. Furthermore, the UP Government has allocated INR 38 lakh to add a lawn and parking facilities at Ranipur Tiger Reserve to improve visitor amenities.
The state has also revived jungle safari services at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and is planning to extend ecotourism activities to additional wildlife sanctuaries in the region. These efforts follow the official launch of the 2024-25 eco-tourism season across UP’s tiger reserves, including Pilibhit, Amangarh, and Du.