In an effort to attract tourists to the state, the government plans to offer package tours that combine both eco-tourism and religious tourism. The Punjab Forest and Wildlife Department has identified 28 sites across the state in wildlife sanctuaries, pristine forests of Shivalik hills, wetlands and riverside forest areas to attract tourists.

The Asian Development Bank and Union Forest and Environment Ministry will also pitch in with financial aid for this project.

The sites include the Keshopur Wetlands spread across five villages near Gurdaspur, which is home to birds from Central Asia and Siberia in the winter. At Shalla Pattan, again near Gurdaspur, one can find Sarus cranes, which are found in Paris as well. The Kathlaur Kaushalaya Forests near Pathankot, which is a wildlife sanctuary, has deer, cheetal, blackbuck, white-rumped vulture and reticulate python population.

The other eco-tourism sites include Saili Dhar, 50 kilometre from Pathankot, which overlooks Ranjit Sagar Dam and is spread over 1,457 hectares. It has nature trails and facilities for trekking, nature camps and night camps. Sambar, barking deer, hog deer, wild boar and jackals are found in this area. Then there are 600 acres of Nangal Wetlands which has migratory birds.

The other main eco-sites are in Hoshiarpur Chohal Forest, Kukanet and Dehrian passes close to the Dolbaha Dam, which is one of the highest hill points in the state, touching the Himachal Pradesh border. The famous Harike Wetlands has 300 species of migratory birds, seven species of turtles, two species of fish, 40,000 ducks and now the dolphins, besides jungle cats, jackals, wild boa, Indian otter and common mongoose.

If one wants to see blackbucks, Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is the place, where 13 villages of Bishnoi community protect this animal. Besides blackbuck, nilgai, hare, porcupine, partridges and jackals are also found in this area. Chhatbir Zoo, Mirzapur Dam, Perchh, Seonk and Jayantimaji are some other sites.

Sources say forest rest houses and inspection huts will be used as accommodation for tourists, besides tents for camping. Facilitation and information centres will be opened and all these sites will have trek routes.