Keeping in mind the rich floral and faunal wealth in the region, the UP state government has stepped up efforts to promote eco-tourism in the state on a grand scale. The aim is not only to lure tourists, but also jack up efforts for conserving wildlife and nature on the lines of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Highly-placed government sources told TOI: "Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has evinced keen interest in the subject. Besides developing new sanctuaries in the region, the existing ones would also be given a face-lift on a large scale. In fact, the UP government has already given its final nod to start work on a Lion Safari at Fisher Forest area in the CM's hometown of Etawah."

A senior district official said that "under the eco-tourism project, we have been asked to submit a master plan of several projects to promote eco-tourism in districts rich in floral and faunal wealth, including Etawah, Mainpuri, Kannauj, Etah and Agra".

Etawah district magistrate P Guru Prasad said: "We have National Chambal Sanctuary in Etawah which is a habitat of aquatic animals. Established in 1979 and spread over 435 sq kms, it is among the country's prime wildlife sanctuaries."

"Chambal area also boasts of ghariyal, crocodiles, smooth-coated otter, species of terrapins and turtles, chinkara, sambhar, nilgai, chital, hyena, wolf, wild boar, bar-headed goose, brown hawk owl, booted eagle, black-bellied tern, river tern, black ibis, jungle babbler, fishing cats and white wagtail and reptiles like python and a profusion of 250 species of birds, including state bird Indian Sarus. All this needs to be exploited optimally," the DM added.

The region also boasts of Saman Bird Sanctuary in Mainpuri, Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah and Lakh Bahosi in Kannauj. Besides, a wide patch of wetlands surrounding the region become winter home for migratory birds that land here for roosting or breeding.

People always link Chambal with dacoits. But one cannot ignore the fact that the region has a varied topography and dense forests that are full of natural water resources. A couple of river confluences like the Pachnada, a confluence of five rivers -- Yamuna, Chambal, Kuari, Pahuj and Sindh and Bhareh, a confluence of Chambal and Yamuna, are considered to be a safe haven for aqua creatures to breed. Besides, several small water bodies spread across the district also invite varied wildlife, the official informed.

"It would be a boon for state's economy and also conserve community culture, natural environment and cultural heritage," a senior Tourism department officer said.

"If every thing goes well, adventure and nature lovers and foreign tourists who have been visiting wildlife sanctuaries and safaris of other states, will surely add this new destination in their tour map," he said.

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