Bahraich :

Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary is going to be developed into an eco-tourism hub and state tourism department would announce a special package soon. Those touring the International Buddhist pilgrimage Shravasti would also get to see the Dudhwa national park while visiting Katarniaghat. Work is on for renovating the tourist houses in the core zone of the forest and Rs 12 crore would be spent on it.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav reached Katarniaghat directly from the residence of Balha MLA to inspect work already started on Tuesday.

There are seven ranges under the reserved forest area. Motipur and Kakraha range come under buffer zone which has already been developed into an eco-tourism hub at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

Katarniaghat, Nishangara, Murtiha, Dharmapur and Sujauli ranges located in core zone of the reserved forest area are being developed. Tigers and leopards have their habitat in these ranges.

The government has allocated a budget of Rs 12 crore to develop these ranges into an eco-tourism hub. CM Akhilesh Yadav inspected the alligator reproduction centre and Gerwa River and told TOI that the rare wild animals and birds of Royal Berdia National Park of Nepal keep moving in and out of Katarniaghat reserved forest area, which makes it different from other sanctuaries.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / by Bipin Chand Agarwal, TNN / June 19th, 2015