Lucknow, Dec 16 (IANS): Online booking of Tharu huts will soon be available for tourists and visitors at the Kakraha and Katraniaghat wildlife sanctuaries, an official said Tuesday.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav directed principal secretary (Forest) to this effect.

He also issued directions to prepare an action plan based on the Eco-Tourism policy at Katraniaghat wildlife sanctuary so that the delicate balance between tourism and wildlife conservation is maintained. Yadav set a deadline of Jan 14 next year for completion of all works at Motipur and Kakraha.

The Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in Terai region of the state covering 400 km of forest land. It was brought under the 'Project Tiger' in 1987 and it forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve when clubbed with the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Dudhwa National Park.

"It is home to many endangered species like Gangetic dolphin, Swamp deer, gharial, tiger, rhino, Hispid hare, Bengal florican, the white-backed and long-billed vultures," a forester said.

Being one of the best places in the world for seeing the Gharial (a variety of crocodile), it attracts thousands of visitors and tourists round the year. Visitors flock to these Tharu huts for New Year celebrations every year.