Taking a cue from the neighboring state of Himachal Pradesh that is giving a lot of fillip to eco tourism, Haryana government too is taking keen interset to promote it in the region. As plans are being made to promote eco tourism in Morni Hills and Kalesar, the tourism department has already approached the Central government for a grant totaling Rs 8 crore, Rs 4 crore for each project.
While Morni, an offshoot of Shivalik Range, located at a height of 3,600 feet above sea level, is not only known for its idyllic beauty, mountain treks and sleepy hamlets that come on way but also because of its proximity to Himachal. Kalesar, on its part is also located in Shivalik Hills, 150 kms from Chandigarh on an elevation varying between 2000 to 3500 feet and is a paradise for bird watchers and those interested in wildlife. If the projects get the requisite grant, then plans are to develop these sites on the lines of jungle lodges in Karnataka.
Apart from this, the tourism department has also received Rs 8 crore of a total grant of Rs 16 crore from Central government for development of Panipat, Kurukshetra, Pinjore circuit in the state. In an interview to FE, Satwanti Ahlawat, MD, Haryana Tourism said that efforts are being made to spruce up the monuments at all these places, including their illumination and upgradation. “We would shortly be developing a theme park related to Mahabharta at Jyotisar in Kurukshetra. The Kurukshetra Development Board has already transferred 25 acres to us for this purpose,” she said.
“The department is also giving a big boost to rural tourism,” she informed. Taking it forward it has already registered 27 farm houses in the past one year, the details of which are available on the Haryana tourism website. Not only this it has been getting a constant stream of foreign tourists keen on getting a taste of rural life at these farm houses.
