LUCKNOW, Feb. 11 -- Lucknowites now have a new green retreat with the opening of Laxmanpuri Ecotourism Reserve, the first-of-its-kind initiative by the Awadh Forest Range. Inaugurated by forest minister Arun K Saxena on Monday, the reserve invites visitors to immerse themselves in nature through scenic trails, yoga sessions, and wellness activities.

Spread across 12 hectares in the Rasoolpur Ithauriya Forest Block under the Sarojininagar range, the reserve caters to all age groups with an open gym, a children's park, a nature trail, an oxygen point, a Miyawaki forest, yoga zones, and cycling tracks-offering a perfect blend of recreation and conservation.

"Increasing urbanisation is widening the gap between people and nature. We need to ...