Policy prescriptions for sustainable living in UP

Lakhimpur Kheri, the largest district in Uttar Pradesh, lies in the fertile Terai belt bordering Nepal, making it an ecologically and strategically significant region.

- Durga Shakti Nagpal

It is surrounded by the rivers Sharda, Ghagra, Koriyala, Ull, Sarayan, Chauka, Gomti, Kathana, Sarayu, and Mohana. Known as a conservation hub, it is home to Uttar Pradesh's only national park, Dudhwa, which is the only place on the planet inhabited by five deer species. Dudhwa is also home to the Bengal tiger and the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros.

The district, a biodiversity hotspot, faces environmental challenges due to its flood-prone geography. To minimise damage to the ecosystem and local livelihoods due to annual floods in the Sharda river, chief minister Yogi Adityanath sanctioned ₹80 crore for flood protection this year - ₹20 crore more than last year - ensuring timely and robust measures to safeguard biodiversity and human settlements.

The 2024 Lakhimpur Mahotsav, with the theme Terai Ki Mitti Ka Utsav, was a pivotal event reflecting the district administration's commitment to sustainability. Held as a circuit festival for the first time in Uttar Pradesh, it spanned across five iconic locations- Dudhwa National Park, Chhoti Kashi Gola Temple, Frog Temple, Lakhimpur and Kotwara Haveli. The launch of an aerial tourist service connecting Lucknow to Dudhwa National Park added a significant boost to eco-tourism. This initiative not only celebrated the district's natural and cultural heritage but also inspired residents and tourists to prioritise conservation.