Panaji, Jan 9 (IANS): Eco-villages may be a way for the future of eco-tourism in Goa, a state known for its beach tourism and nightlife.

The forest ministry was working on the possibility of setting up eco-friendly villages in the rural areas of Goa and that the project would help deliver the benefits of tourism to the hinterland, away from the congested beaches, Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar said on Friday.

"We have to balance revenue generation as well as keeping the environmental balance of the state. Setting up eco-villages will help us greatly promote eco-tourism in rural areas," Arlekar told IANS.

The minister also said eco-friendly villages would help rural youth as far as revenue generation was concerned.

"The concept of eco-villages will have multiple benefits for Goa," Arlekar said.

Goa is one of the most famous beach and nightlife tourist destinations in India. The state attracts more than three million tourists every year.

Successive governments in Goa have promised to promote hinterland tourism via backwater cruises, spice farm tours, kayaking, white water rafting, ornithology etc. in order to de-congest the coastal area, in which a majority of the tourism activity is located.