Uttar Pradesh Accelerates 'One District One Wetland' Initiative with Deogarh Festival
Uttar Pradesh is making significant strides toward realizing its ambitious 'One District One Wetland' vision, according to Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh. The minister made this announcement while inaugurating the Nature and Bird Festival 2026 at the Mahavir Swami Wildlife Sanctuary in Deogarh, Lalitpur, on Monday, coinciding with World Wetlands Day.
Festival Theme and Participation
The festival, themed 'Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage', attracted a diverse audience of nature enthusiasts, birding aficionados, students, youth, and local community members. Minister Singh emphasized that this event underscores the collaborative efforts between the tourism and forest departments to promote eco-tourism across the state.
Bundelkhand's Growing Eco-Tourism Profile
Highlighting Bundelkhand's emerging status, Singh noted that the region is being steadily positioned on the global eco-tourism map. He pointed out that Deogarh, with its unique natural and cultural assets, plays a pivotal role in this development. The minister elaborated on Deogarh's rich historical, spiritual, and cultural heritage, which includes:
- Ancient Jain temples and Buddhist caves
- The iconic Dashavatar Temple
- Rich biodiversity along the Betwa river
This combination offers visitors a rare blend of heritage and nature, making it an attractive destination for tourists.
Wetland and Wildlife Tourism Development
On the topic of wetland and wildlife-linked tourism, Singh revealed that the forest department has already listed 52 wetlands, with consensus reached on developing basic tourism facilities around them. Additionally, tourism infrastructure will be enhanced around the state's Ramsar sites and tiger reserves to boost visitor experiences.
Global Outreach and International Engagement
To elevate Uttar Pradesh's natural heritage on the world stage, the government is organizing familiarization tours for tour operators and travel professionals from India and abroad. Recent visits by delegates from the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and the United States have already led to UP destinations being incorporated into international travel itineraries, signaling growing global interest.
Government Commitment and Infrastructure Investments
Reaffirming the government's dedication to Bundelkhand, Singh reported that tourism development is progressing rapidly in Lalitpur and Jhansi. During the festival, tourism projects worth approximately Rs 24 crore were inaugurated, with foundation stones laid for initiatives aimed at improving visitor facilities and enhancing the overall tourism experience. The ultimate goal is to establish Bundelkhand as a preferred destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Environmental Conservation Efforts
Arun Saxena, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge), highlighted that the festival demonstrates Uttar Pradesh's strong commitment to biodiversity conservation and maintaining environmental balance. This aligns with broader state efforts to protect natural resources while promoting sustainable tourism.
