Uttar Pradesh Launches its Eco-Tourism Push Combines Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, Driving Sustainable Growth Through New Investments and Community Participation

Published on December 4, 2025

World Wildlife Conservation Day underlined how eco-tourism and wildlife conservation can reinforce each other in Uttar Pradesh. The state, with its regeneration of forests, restoration of wetlands, and significant increase in the numbers of wildlife, is gradually building a model where nature protection and tourism growth complement each other. This process not only bonds visitors with nature but ensures long-term protection of the state’s ecological heritage.

Massive Eco-Tourism Investment: ₹161 Crore Over Three Years

The Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board has made a ₹161 crore investment across the state’s natural landscapes over the past three years, showing a strong commitment to sustainable tourism. The funding breakdown is as follows:

• ₹21.04 crore in 2022–23
• ₹68.56 crore in 2023–24
• ₹72.30 crore in 2024–25

This money has been used to create low-impact tourist facilities like nature trails, birdwatching decks, viewing towers, eco-friendly gazebos, signage, small cafés, and children’s activity zones. Designed to enhance visitor experience without disturbing the delicate habitats, these developments allow tourists to connect with nature while minimizing their impact on the environment.

Wildlife Numbers Surge in Terai Belt: A Conservation Success

Alongside the boost in eco-tourism infrastructure, the Terai region is witnessing a surge in wildlife numbers. According to the 2025 wildlife assessment, the following areas have seen a remarkable increase in animal populations:

• Dudhwa Tiger Reserve: Over 1.13 lakh animals
• Katarniaghat Wildlife Division: Nearly 18,000 animals
• Buffer zones: More than 14,000 animals

Altogether, the Terai region now records over 1.45 lakh wild animals, a significant increase from 92,000 in 2022. This growth can be attributed to stronger habitat protection, successful anti-poaching measures, improvements to water sources, grassland restoration, and continuous monitoring by forest teams. The rise in tiger and rhino populations signals that the efforts to stabilize their habitats are working, providing a clear example of how conservation and tourism can coexist productively.

Forests Become Preferred Nature Destinations

The state’s key wildlife zones, including Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Katarniaghat, Amangarh, and Sohagibarwa, are attracting an increasing number of families, students, photographers, and nature enthusiasts. As these areas become more popular, conservation-led tourism is also expanding in regions like Braj, the Ganga region, Bundelkhand, and Vindhya. These regions are seeing the development of eco-friendly infrastructures designed to support nature-based tourism, creating new opportunities for local communities and fostering greater awareness of sustainability.

Community Involvement at the Heart of Conservation

A key pillar of Uttar Pradesh’s eco-tourism model is local participation. Nature guides trained in Dudhwa, Pilibhit, and Katarniaghat are instrumental in helping visitors understand wildlife behavior and the importance of conservation. Additionally, the Tharu community, which resides in close proximity to many protected forests, has embraced eco-tourism through initiatives like homestays, showcasing traditional cuisine and handicrafts. This involvement not only provides sustainable livelihoods but also strengthens the community’s role in protecting the forests they call home.

Long-Term Vision: Viksit UP @ 2047

The concept of eco-tourism was a focal point during the Viksit Uttar Pradesh @ 2047 Tourism Workshop, where experts discussed the potential of sustainable tourism in the state. The long-term vision for Uttar Pradesh includes:

• Refurbishing forest rest houses
• Creating nature-learning programs
• Developing butterfly trails and wetland circuits
• Expanding guided jungle safaris

The Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary, now home to 85 butterfly species, was highlighted as a model for nature-driven tourism growth, offering a perfect balance between tourism development and biodiversity conservation.

Under this vision, Uttar Pradesh aims to:

• Grow tourism without harming sensitive habitats
• Maintain clean, regulated wilderness sites
• Ensure that tourism revenue supports local communities
• Encourage school and college learning tours
• Prioritize awareness over crowding
• Protect habitats through continuous monitoring

This strategic framework intertwines conservation, community livelihoods, and visitor experience, aiming for a sustainable tourism model that benefits everyone involved.

“Eco-Tourism Strengthens Conservation”

Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh emphasized that eco-tourism is not just an add-on but central to Uttar Pradesh’s vision for 2047. According to Singh, strong conservation leads to the growth of responsible tourism, and responsible tourism, in turn, strengthens conservation efforts. He noted that the state’s forests are now attracting more nature lovers than ever, and the priority moving forward is to ensure that their experiences are safe, responsible, and memorable.

A Growing Blueprint for Sustainable Travel

Uttar Pradesh is rapidly developing a robust conservation-tourism model, with rising wildlife numbers, eco-friendly infrastructure, and active community involvement. As the state continues to build this model, its forests and wildlife reserves will not only serve as key contributors to environmental protection but also play an increasingly important role in driving local income and sustainable tourism in the years to come.

Future Tourism Impact: A Model for Sustainable Development

The success of Uttar Pradesh’s eco-tourism initiatives presents a blueprint for sustainable tourism that can be adapted in other parts of India and beyond. By combining conservation efforts with community engagement and tourism development, the state is setting the stage for a tourism economy that balances economic growth with environmental sustainability.

The rise in wildlife numbers, the expansion of eco-tourism infrastructure, and the increasing involvement of local communities ensure that the tourism sector will continue to grow in a way that protects the natural environment while providing long-term economic benefits for the people of Uttar Pradesh. As these initiatives evolve, the state is well on its way to becoming a leader in eco-tourism and sustainable travel, shaping the future of tourism in India.

Future Tourism Growth: Sustainability and Community Empowerment

Looking ahead, Uttar Pradesh positions the state’s eco-tourism industry as a driver of prosperity and growth that is sustainable. Thus, its development of tourism facilities while monitoring wildlife conservation will not only withstand the pressures of rising visitors but also make tourism a positive force for the environment and local communities. The vision of sustainable, responsible tourism would thus continue to inspire and shape the state’s tourism policies in an ongoing effort to make Uttar Pradesh flourish as an eco-tourism hub for generations to come.