Bhubaneswar, Feb. 1 -- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the development of Turtle Trails along key nesting sites in Odisha's coastal areas, placing the state at the forefront of a major tourism and conservation initiative outlined in the Union Budget 2026-27.

Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman said Turtle Trails will also be developed in coastal areas of Karnataka and Kerala as part of a broader strategy to promote ecologically sustainable tourism while generating employment and expanding local economies.

Emphasising the tourism sector's potential for job creation, foreign exchange earnings and local economic growth, the Finance Minister said the government will strengthen institutional capaci...