Bhopal, Mar 3: In order to develop tourism and register hot-spot tourist destinations of the State in the eyes of world the state government is ready to extend all necessary help required for the over all development of the tourism industry, said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan here on Monday.

``We will find out all the possibilities in the field of tourism in each corner of the state and money will not be a constraint for the implementation of innovative projects in the field,'' he added.

He said that the immense potential of tourism in Madhya Pradesh still remains largely unexploited due to long neglect of this sector. Concerted efforts have been made for optimum exploitation of these possibilities by encouraging and promoting tourism industry. This would reduce the burden on agriculture and employment would be generated for the youths, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the state couldn't afford to rest on its laurels, as it has to scale further heights in development. People of the state, officers and employees of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and public representatives deserve the credit for these awards, he added.

The chief minister expressed concern over the reducing numbers of tigers in the state and ordered officers to take proper step to conserve them.

The Minister for Forests Vijay Shah said that forest and tourism departments are working in tandem to promote tourism in Madhya Pradesh. It has been decided to open various forest rest houses for the tourists. Madhya Pradesh is the first state to have constituted Eco-tourism Board, he added.

The Minister for Tourism Tukojirao Puar said that Madhya Pradesh is fast emerging on tourism map for its natural, religious and spiritual sites. All out efforts would be made to build on our achievements in future, he added. The Chairman of MP Tourism Development Corporation Dhruvnarayan Singh delivered the welcome address.

On this occasion Tourism Minister Tukoji Rao Pawar presented Best Tourism Performing State award, Dhruvnarayan Singh presented Most Innovative Tourism Product, Vijay Shah presented Best Tourist Friendly National Park and Archaeological Survey of India, Superintendent Archaeologist KK Muhammad presented Best Maintained Tourist Friendly Monument Award to the Chief Minister.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included the Secretary, Tourism Iqbal Singh Bains; Managing Director of the Corporation Ashvini Lohani; public representatives, office bearers of organizations engaged in tourism sector and a large number of people.