After Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath advised that eco-tourism be developed and facilitated in the state, the Tourism department brass announced to develop Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Chandauli and adjoining areas as eco-tourism hot spots.

A Tourism department communiqué released on Saturday said that a tourist bungalow would be constructed in five acres in Sonbhadra and activities like water sports, rock climbing, trekking, etc., would be started there to promote eco-tourism and provide options of adventure sports for tourists.

“We hope to start building the tourist bungalow in the next six months and the district magistrate of Sonbhadra has discussed a detailed action plan with members of the Tourism Welfare Association. Also, bio-toilets will be constructed at various tourist spots,” said tourism officer of Mirzapur division, Kirtimaan Srivastava, in Lucknow on Saturday.

“A total of Rs 281.37 lakh have been sanctioned for Way Finding Traffic Solution (WFTS) in which sign boards with details of tourist spots are being set up at various places and destinations. Besides, tour operators have also been engaged to promote film tourism,” Srivastava said.

“Beautification is also being carried out at tourist spots like Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Salkhan Fossil Park, Vijaygarh Fort, Agori Fort, Mukha Waterfall, etc. so that they could attract tourists and find a place in the tourist map of the country,” the officer said.

Earlier in September, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced the upgrading of airstrip to an airport in Sonbhadra. 

Besides opening new vistas of development and generating employment in the region, the airport is expected to boost tourism activities.