Karnataka number one Eco-tourism destination: C Somashekara

Shimoga, Dec 1 (UNI) Karnataka Tourism Director C Somashekara has said that his department is planning to give major boost to Eco- tourism in the state to make Karnataka number one in Eco-tourism destination.

Inaugurating one day National Seminar on Eco-Tourism, Its problems and prospectus at Kumvempu University, Dr Somashekara said in this regard tourism department has submitted two projects to government of India for creating "Jungle Camps" and " Trails of Karnataka" and will be submitting shortly a project for establishing "Greeat Western Ghats Tracks of Karnataka". Emphasis has also given in state tourism policy on this regard, he added.

He also said that new courses were started in Universities on tourism with the assistance of department of tourism and requested the concerned to dedicate sufficient slot for eco tourism in these courses as this is the emerging field and future of tourism in this Country and especially in this state.

He said Karnataka potential to develop the sector and all kinds of landscapes, forests. The Western Ghats which lays in Karnataka was one of the world's 34 bio-diversity hot spots for conservation.

He said that Eco tourism in the state was mainly in the form of trekking, river rafting, jungle safaris and bird watching. These activities were offered by forest department, jungle lodges and resorts corporation and some private adventure tourist operators.

UNI