Updated on Monday, July 10, 2006, 00:00 IST

Bhopal, July 10: Making an all-out effort to check poaching, Madhya Pradesh government plans to open its wildlife sanctuaries for ecotourism to attract visitors for trecking, camping, bird watching and adventure sports through its newly formed ecotourism board.

Though wildlife tourism will continue to be the strength of ecotourism, the board will ensure that visitors in future will experience trekking, camping, bird watching and adventure sports, State Forest Minister Himmat Kothari told reporters today.

Initially, ecotourism would be promoted around nine national parks and 25 wildlife sanctuaries, including five tiger reserves, he said adding new locations will soon be opened to offer diversity of choices to tourists and the board, formed last year, will collaborate with tourism department for the task.

Around 6.5 lakh tourists visit the state every year for wildlife safaries and tiger tourism, he said adding the number are expected to increase with the new initiative.

Denying that promotion of ecotourism will increase chances of poaching, he said elaborate efforts were to check it and strict vigil was being maintained in sensitive areas like water holes.

Madhya Pradesh, with nearly 13 per cent of national forest wealth, enchanting tribal culture, ancient rock paintings, forests and palaces scattered throughout the wilderness, offer a breathtaking array of opportunities for ecotourists, he said.

The board will share its vision with key stakeholders like lodge owners, travel businesses and travel writers and learn from experiences of Karnataka, Kerala and Uttaranchal, during a workshop tomorrow, the minister said.

Bureau Report