Mumbai : The state forest department has identified 162 locales in remote places in the Sahyadri and Satpuda ranges to be developed as eco-tourist spots.

Forest minister Babanrao Pachpute, who is helping the department identify these spots, is also interacting with the tourism department to make these locales accessible to tourists. Thanks to the state's unique bio-diversity, it will not be difficult to, the department said. At present, the department has developed many reserved forests for endangered species. Some of these, like the tiger reserve in Melghat, Tadoba in Chandrapur and the peacock reserve in Beed, are drawing good response from tourists.

Apart from sighting wild animals, the department will provide basic facilities to eco-tourists to study the flore and fauna, for bird watching and other specific activities which have been undertaken as eco-tourism the world over.

The department is setting up a website with details on these eco-tourism spots. The site will also be used to provide instant reservation to tourists.