Lucknow, 17 May (IANS). The Yogi government has taken another major step towards promoting eco -tourism and tourism in Uttar Pradesh. On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a Vistadome coach has been started in the tourist train providing rail connectivity from Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary to Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
With this, UP has become the first such state in the country, where the facility of Vistaadem coach is being provided for tourists to provide exciting experience of jungle safari. This service will be available for tourists 12 months. This service is currently being made available to tourists on Saturday and Sunday, this service will be available all day in the coming days. This will promote tourism on the one hand, on the other hand, employment will also be available.
Director of Tourism Department Prakhar Mishra said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is constantly trying to get the forest areas of the state as ‘Forest Destination, Three Forest’ at the national and international level. In this series, Vistadom coaches are being operated to give accessible and exciting experience for tourists by integrating Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.
He said that the Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board has taken this initiative throughout the year with the aim of providing tourists unique experience of Nature Trail and Jungle Safari throughout the year. This facility is being made available on every Saturday and Sunday in the first phase. After the positive results of this service, it is planned to expand it for a whole week.
Through the Vistadom coach, tourists will be able to travel closely to natural views, biodiversity and wildlife while traveling within 107 km long forest. This journey is 4.25 hours. Train service is also very economical. Tourists are being charged only Rs 275 per tourist for this service. This fee is from Katarniaghat to Dudhwa National Park.
The director informed that the board is preparing a package to take tourists from the capital Lucknow to Katarniaghat. In this package, the subsidy per tourist will also be given by the department, which is being considered.
Tourism Director Prakhar Mishra said that the train, which gives experience of 107 km long biodiversity, has been named Bichhiya to Malani Tourist Passenger Train (No. 52259), which runs from Bichhiya Station (Bahraich) at 11:45 am and passes through various stations at 4:10 pm. The return train Malani to Bichhiya Tourist Passenger Train (No-52260) departs from Malani at 6:05 am and reaches Bichhiya at 10:30 am. The train nine stations reach Malani station via Bichhiya, Manjhara Purba, Kharatia Dam Road, Tikunia, Belrayan, Dudhwa, Palia Kalan, Bhira Kheri respectively.
Vistadom coach service not only passes through forests and sanctuaries, but also provides an opportunity to closely look at natural landscapes such as Wetland, Grassland, Farmland, and Woodland. This facility will also attract tourists during the monsoon season. This initiative will not only promote tourism, but will also create employment opportunities at the regional level. This service will empower the local economy with the participation of homestay owners, resort operators and travel agents.
Currently, special curated tours are being organized for government school children under the Youth Tourism Club every week. Also, a fame tour is being organized for social media influencers and travel bloggers to promote Vistadom coach and this journey through digital medium. This is not only increasing awareness, but has also broadcast the message of conservation of natural resources and biodiversity of the state.
With the foresight of the Yogi government and the coordinated efforts of the Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Board, Vistadom Coach Seva is proving to be a milestone for eco tourism in the state. It is not only giving tourists an exciting journey experience, but is also an important step towards the goal of ‘Green Uttar Pradesh’.
-IANS
ABM/AS