A new chapter in Uttar Pradesh’s eco-tourism journey is unfolding near Dudhwa National Park, one of India’s most biodiverse wildlife reserves. At Chandan Chowki in Lakhimpur Kheri district, a carefully planned eco-tourism destination is taking shape through a partnership between BVG India and the Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board (UPETDB).
At the heart of this initiative is the BVG India Resort, a five-acre eco-friendly hospitality project scheduled to become fully operational by March 2026. Designed as a low-impact, nature-integrated retreat, the resort anchors the larger Chandan Chowki eco-tourism project and aims to attract wildlife enthusiasts, leisure travellers, families and corporate groups seeking quieter, experience-driven destinations.
A Public-Private Model for Responsible Tourism
The project follows a public-private partnership structure, with BVG India taking charge of planning, design, development, financing and long-term operations of the resort and its allied wellness facilities. The company is also responsible for regulatory approvals, operations and maintenance, as well as marketing and promotional planning.
For Uttar Pradesh, the initiative signals a growing emphasis on structured eco-tourism that goes beyond basic accommodation. The intent is to create destinations that are commercially viable while remaining sensitive to fragile ecosystems, especially in areas surrounding protected forests.
Designed to Blend With the Forest
The BVG India Resort has been conceptualised with an emphasis on environmentally sensitive design. Rather than dominating the landscape, the resort is designed to blend into its forest surroundings, using low-impact construction techniques and layouts that respect the natural terrain.
The property will offer multiple accommodation formats along with modern hospitality amenities. These include food and beverage services, recreational facilities, and spaces for small conferences and social gatherings. The idea is to balance comfort with restraint, allowing visitors to enjoy nature without overwhelming it.
Wellness is a central theme of the project. The resort positions itself as a retreat where guests can slow down, reconnect with nature and experience local culture, rather than as a conventional luxury destination.
Linking Wildlife, Wellness and Local Culture
What sets the Chandan Chowki project apart is its attempt to create a wholesome tourism experience that integrates wildlife, wellness and community engagement. Visitors are expected to explore Dudhwa National Park while also engaging with the cultural and social fabric of the region.
A dedicated space has been created within the destination for Tharu tribal handicrafts, offering local artisans, particularly women, a platform to showcase traditional skills and generate direct income from tourism. This element reflects a broader push within eco-tourism to ensure that economic benefits flow to local communities rather than bypassing them.
Organic horticulture areas within the resort further reinforce this approach. These spaces are designed to give visitors insight into rural life and sustainable agricultural practices, adding an educational dimension to the stay.
Dudhwa’s Global Conservation Significance
Located in Uttar Pradesh’s Terai region along the Indo-Nepal border, Dudhwa National Park holds a special place in India’s conservation landscape. It is one of the few protected areas where Bengal tigers and one-horned rhinoceroses coexist in the wild. The park is also home to endangered swamp deer and a wide variety of resident and migratory bird species.
As part of Project Tiger, Dudhwa plays a critical role in India’s wildlife conservation efforts. Eco-tourism initiatives around the park therefore carry added responsibility, as poorly planned development can disrupt sensitive habitats. Projects like the BVG India Resort aim to demonstrate that tourism infrastructure can be developed without compromising ecological priorities.
A Long-Term View on Sustainability
According to BVG India Chairman Hanmantrao Gaikwad, the project reflects the company’s belief that tourism must respect nature while creating local opportunities. He describes the resort as a long-term commitment to responsible tourism, focused on preserving the region’s natural and cultural uniqueness.
This long-term lens is important in eco-tourism, where returns are often gradual and depend heavily on reputation, conservation outcomes and repeat visitation rather than quick scale.
Strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s Eco-Tourism Portfolio
With destinations like Chandan Chowki, Uttar Pradesh is steadily expanding its eco-tourism portfolio beyond established pilgrimage and heritage circuits. The state’s focus on nature-based tourism aligns with a broader national trend, as travellers increasingly seek quieter, experience-rich alternatives to crowded destinations.
If executed as planned, the BVG India Resort near Dudhwa could serve as a template for future eco-tourism projects, showing how conservation goals, community participation and quality tourism infrastructure can coexist in sensitive natural landscapes.
