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Move to boost eco-tourism in Maharashtra

MUMBAI, MARCH 29. The Maharashtra Government would soon launch a project to boost eco-tourism in the State, with the active participation of the private sector, Forest Minister, Babanrao Pachpute, said here today.

``We have identified eco-tourism as a major revenue generating area for the State and would concentrate on developing the necessary infrastructure for the same'', he said.

The project includes setting up of safari parks, bio-diversity centres and an integrated information network for tourists visiting the state, Pachpute said.

The private sector would be involved in various eco-tourist projects on build, operate, transfer (BOT) basis, Pachpute said.

``I have visited States like Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka to study such projects and would soon visit Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Mizoram'', the Minister said. ``It is our government's strong view that eco-tourism could be a major revenue generating resource for the state'', he added.

As the project involved several other departments like horticulture, rural development, building and construction and tourism, a meeting of these departments would be convened after the budget session of State legislature to discuss the modalities in detail, he said.

The eco-tourism project involved creating basic amenities at the newly-identified tourist destinations in Maharashtra, Mr Pachpute said.

``We will have to build access roads wherever required, lodging arrangements, parking areas and mess facilities'', he said.

Mr Pachpute said he had discussed the proposal to develop eco-tourism with the Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, and he has supported the project.

The Western Ghats are rich with bio-diversity and contain numerous variety of flora, the Minister said. ``We expect a large chunk of tourists visting Maharashtra to include Western Ghats on their itinerary'', he said.

The work on the eco-tourism project was expected to gather momentum within six months, he added. -PTI

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