Strategic Union Budget 2026 Unveils Eco-Tourism Corridors Across Key States to Boost Conservation and Regional Development

The Union Budget 2026 has strategically allocated resources to establish specialized eco-tourism corridors across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, marking a significant shift toward integrating environmental conservation with sustainable economic development. This initiative, framed as a high-priority national project, aims to enhance biodiversity preservation while stimulating local economies through structured tourism. Notably, the plan includes the development of three birdwatching trails along the Pulicat Lake on the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border, positioning the region as a critical hub for ornithological research and eco-tourism. The selection of these states reflects a calculated approach to leverage diverse ecosystems—from mountainous terrains to coastal wetlands—thereby fostering regional resilience and promoting India's natural heritage on a global scale. This move is anticipated to generate employment, support community-based tourism models, and align with broader environmental goals, reinforcing the government's commitment to balanced, forward-looking development strategies.