Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is fast moving towards the vision of ‘One District One Wetland’, said tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh while inaugurating the Nature and Bird Festival 2026 at the Mahavir Swami Wildlife Sanctuary in Deogarh, Lalitpur, on the occasion of World Wetlands Day on Monday.The theme of the festival is ‘Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage’. The festival drew nature lovers, birding enthusiasts, students, youth and local communities. The minister said the festival reflects the collective commitment of the tourism and forest departments to elevate eco-tourism in Uttar Pradesh. He underlined that Bundelkhand is steadily being positioned on the global eco-tourism map and that Deogarh, with its unique natural and cultural assets, has a key role to play in this journey. Highlighting Deogarh’s significance, the minister said that the region is historically, spiritually and culturally rich. From ancient Jain temples and Buddhist caves to the iconic Dashavatar Temple and the rich biodiversity along the Betwa river, Deogarh offers a rare blend of heritage and nature.
On wetland and wildlife linked tourism development, the minister said that 52 wetlands are already listed by the forest department and consensus is reached on developing basic tourism facilities around them. He said tourism facilities will also be strengthened around the state’s Ramsar sites and tiger reserves. To give UP’s natural heritage global visibility, familiarisation tours are being organised for tour operators and travel professionals from India and abroad. Recent visits by delegates from the UK, Germany, Australia and the United States have already translated into UP destinations being included in international travel itineraries.Reaffirming the govt’s commitment to Bundelkhand, Jaiveer Singh said that tourism development work is progressing rapidly in Lalitpur and Jhansi. On the occasion, tourism projects worth approximately Rs 24 crore were inaugurated and foundation stones were laid, aimed at improving visitor facilities and enhancing the overall tourism experience. The objective, he said, is to make Bundelkhand a preferred destination for both domestic and international tourists. Arun Saxena, minister of state for environment, forest and climate change (independent charge), said the festival showcases Uttar Pradesh’s strong commitment to biodiversity conservation and environmental balance.
link