Tikri Forest and Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary Set to Become New Tourist Hub Near Ayodhya

Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary covers an area of 1,084 hectares and falls under the Ramsar project. Migratory birds are included in the sanctum sanctorum of the conservation measures in the sanctuary. The birds that make their habitat in the sanctuary during the winter season come from Siberia, Tibet, China, and Europe.
Home to over three dozen local bird species and migratory birds such as Eurasian coots, mallards, greylag geese, northern pintails, and red-crested pochards, this sanctuary has become a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers. 
Declared a bird sanctuary in 1990, Parvati Arga is being developed further to promote eco-tourism, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in its vibrant avian life.
 

Just a few kilometers from the bird sanctuary, the Tikri Forest covers an area of 7,500 hectares. Dense green cover characterized the Tikri Forest, largely dominated by Sal and Teak trees. Officials are at present converting this natural wonder into an eco-tourism destination, inviting nature lovers to explore its pristine beauty.

The district of Gonda has a lot more to offer than its breathtaking natural beauty. Gonda district holds a sacredly important place as the place where Bhagwan Ghanshyam was born. He founded the Swami Narayan sect. Thousands of devotees visit this shrine every year, mostly from Gujarat.

A grand  temple dedicated to Maharishi Patanjali will soon come up near Wazirganj on the Gonda-Ayodhya highway. A magnificent two-ton statue of Maharishi Patanjali, made from red granite, has been brought in from Jaipur and would soon be installed at the temple. Maharishi Patanjali is the birthplace of a very revered figure in yoga and Sanskrit literature, a village called Kondar in Gonda.
A new development to make this temple accessible is in the pipeline, connecting this temple to the highway, and is expected to attract international tourists.
 

A main development is planned at the birthplace of Goswami Tulsidas, the great writer of the Ramcharitmanas. Near Sukarkhet on the banks of the Saryu River, infrastructure at this landmark location is moving full steam.

Sustainable Development: Protecting Nature and Heritage

A high emphasis appears to be given to finding a balance between development and environmental conservation as the region is about to celebrate the arrival of scores of tourists and pilgrims. While on one hand the authorities are at pains to ensure that the natural beauty and the cultural heritage of the area remain untouched, on the other they have to attract more visitors to these emergent destinations.