Uttar Pradesh’s strides in eco-tourism are now drawing international attention, with Nepalese officials set to learn from the state’s success in this sector.

On Wednesday, the Indo-Nepal Trans Border Coordination Event for Biodiversity Conservation was held at the Chuka Eco Tourism Spot, featuring active participation from representatives of both nations. The state has emerged as a hub for eco-tourism, witnessing a significant rise in domestic and international tourist footfall over the past seven- and- a half years. By integrating local communities with tourism initiatives, the state has also generated substantial employment opportunities.

The state Forest Department, in collaboration with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), will launch an awareness campaign in rural areas along the border, aiming to reduce human-wildlife conflict and enhance wildlife conservation efforts. Divisional Forest Officer of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Manish Singh, stated that the state government is prioritizing both minimizing human-wildlife conflict and protecting wildlife. Joint wildlife monitoring will be conducted by both countries, with a special focus on tracking animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, and rhinos as they migrate across borders.

The Lagga Bagga corridor management was a key topic of discussion between forest officials from two countries, given the significant tiger activity in the region. Both sides deliberated on strategies for ensuring the security of these tigers and emphasized the importance of information exchange. Discussions also included plans for joint patrolling, collaboration in tourism, and conservation efforts with active community participation.Also, the officials highlighted the need for regular local and high-level meetings, wildlife tours, and the sharing of wildlife movement data to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Coordinating with committees in the border areas was identified as a crucial step toward effective wildlife conservation and the promotion of tourism.

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