New Ecotourism Policy Soon: Konda Surekha

Hyderabad: As many as 40 locations in Telangana will be developed as ecotourism spots where responsible tourism and tourist activities will be put in place, forests and environment minister Konda Surekha said on Saturday.

The minister, speaking at a meeting of the consultative committee on ecotourism, said the state government will formulate a new policy for ecotourism that will also pay attention to employment generation in the selected locations. The policy will promote public-private partnership, she said, adding “the government has already identified 12 tourism circuits which between them have the 40 spots identified for ecotourism. The policy will cover nature and wildlife, adventure, recreation, religious, heritage and culture, among other areas where tourism potential in the state is vast and can be developed,” she said.

She called on officials of the forest department to coordinate with endowments, and revenue departments while finalising proposals. The previous government did not pay attention to ecotourism. “Once officials from various departments who are in the committee along with non-government representatives prepare a plan, it will be presented to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy after which the government will release an ecotourism policy,” the minister said.

Priority, she said, should be given to the various natural wonders including waterfalls, along the rivers, and the plans must be such that they will also encourage foreign tourists to visit the state. All the information should be available online and booking and related services too must be provided online, and celebrities should be involved in promoting ecotourism in the state, the minister added.