Chandigarh, Oct 6 (UNI) The Centre has allocated an amount of Rs 14 crore to the Haryana government for development of eco-tourism and two tourist complexes in the state during the current financial year.

Addressing a press conference here today, Minister of State for Tourism and Forests Kiran Choudhry said the Central government had sanctioned Rs 6.48 crore for the development of eco-tourism at Kalesar, Morni, Tikkar Taal and Sultanpur National Park.

She said about Rs 7 crore had been sanctioned for the upgradation of Dabchik tourist resort at Hodal and Jungle Babler at Dharuhera keeping in view the Commonwealth Games which would be held in 2010 at New Delhi.

Ms Choudhry said there had been a requirement of 10,000 rooms by the Central government for the Commonwealth Games and around 9650 rooms were ready and the target would be completed by the Haryana Tourism soon.

She said around 42 sites had been identified by the land development agencies of the state for the Commonwealth Games.

She said with this Central financial assistance, it was proposed to provide public amenities like construction of public toilets, development of water sources,drainages and recharge of underground water, landscaping of area at these tourist complexes.

The Minister said that the Haryana government was making earnest efforts to ensure integrated development of tourism of various destinations and special emphasis had been given to eco-tourism.

She said that it was for the first time in the history of Haryana that combined projects of eco-tourism by Tourism and Forest Departments had been sent to the Central Government for financial assistance.

She said that it was proposed to upgrade the tourist facilities at Morni Fort, Lal Munia Forest Rest House, Tikkar and Bara Taal and Thapati Nature Camp for promoting eco-tourism.

UNI