Ecotourism app for nature lovers

Lucknow: Nature lovers and adventure seekers can now explore ecotourism sites through a mobile app.Launched by the UP ecotourism development board, the ecotourism mobile app brings the state's forests, wildlife sanctuaries, wetlands, waterfalls and nature trails together on a single digital platform. It allows travellers to discover ecotourism destinations, plan trips and access travel guidance directly from their phones.
Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh said that the initiative reflects the growing role of technology in travel planning. App users can access detailed information about ecotourism destinations across the state, including photos, videos, travel routes, nearby attractions and the best time to visit. Wildlife reserves, wetlands, forest circuits, river-based activities, nature trails and rural tourism destinations can be easily searched using smart filters based on district, distance, budget, popularity and visitor ratings.The platform is equipped with GPS-supported smart maps and navigation tools that guide travellers to ecotourism sites, accommodation facilities and nearby attractions. Turn-by-turn navigation, location guidance and offline maps make it useful even in areas with limited network connectivity.It also suggests personalised travel plans based on the user's available time, location and interests. Traveller safety is also integrated into the platform through an SOS emergency feature with 1-tap alerts, automatic location sharing, emergency contact options and offline SMS support. Users also receive real-time notifications about weather alerts, travel advisories, new ecotourism destinations and booking reminders.The app is currently available in English on the Google Play Store and will soon be introduced on iOS. A Hindi version is also planned.