Mussoorie, Mar 30: The first ever aquarium at Mussoorie has become an active tourist attraction with its immense variety of aquatic life.

The aquarium has been thrown open to the public, is housing unique and large varieties of fish and aquatic vegetation. A temperature of minimum of five degree Celsius is being maintained at the aquarium for the sustainable acclimatization.

Officials said that the step is aimed at boosting tourism in the newly formed State, Uttarakhand.

“The motive is to promote tourism in State. Unless we give something new for the tourists, it would be difficult to boost tourism in the State. So it is a step in this direction so that more and more tourists coming here get one more place to enjoy,” said Harish Sharma, Managing Director, Aquarium.

With the diverse varieties of fish and other aquatic animals like Gold fish, starfish, mix mollies, koi carps, catfish, tropical marine, angels, and breeds of sharks including red rail shark, tiger shark, the aquarium serves as a centre of education and entertainment for both national and international visitors.

Moreover, escalators have been installed to lead the tourists to the aquarium.

“I have climbed an escalator for the first time here. The variety of fish and water weeds are truly fascinating,” said Vandana Thakur, a resident.

The colourful multiplicity of the marine life floating in the aquarium has even amazed and thrilled the international tourists visiting the picturesque Mussoorie.

"It’s very nice I had not expected it to be this nice," said Drake, a foreign tourist.

Spread over an area of seven square kilometres, Mussoorie is known as the queen of hill stations. From here one can view the Himalayan ranges to the north and the Shivaliks and plains to the south.

This erstwhile aristocratic resort is now a popular hill station and promises a variety of entertainment throughout the year. (ANI)