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Centre
gives go-ahead for wildlife project in Anandpur Sahib
By Aditi Tandon
CHANDIGARH:
The Punjab Wildlife Department has received the green signal from the Centre to
start work on the project which aims at reviving the ancient glory of wildlife
in Sri Anandpur Sahib. The project is one of the many underway as part of
celebrations of the 300th year of the Khalsa Panth and aims at establishing a
lion and a deer safari in the villages of Jhajjar and Bachauli, with an area of
69 and 218 acres, respectively.
A
team of central experts -- comprising S.C. Sharma, Additional Inspector General
Forests (Wildlife), and Pushpa Kumar, consultant of the Central Zoo Authority of
India -- visited the proposed site (located 3 km from Anandpur Sahib on the
Anandpur Sahib-Naina Devi Road) on June 11. After inspecting the site, the
experts gave the nod to the project, stating that it could turn out to be the
best in the country. The project, which will cost Rs 4.53 crore, is likely to be
completed in 2003 after which the park will be opened to tourists.
According
to sources, nearly 20 lions and 80 deer will be released in this Nature Park.
Some lions will also be brought in from Gir Forests, Gujarat. A senior official
told The Indian Express, "The aim is to restore the ecological balance and
provide an alternate home to lions and deer to save them from extinction in the
wake of infectious diseases. To make tourists aware, we propose to have an
interpretation centre (the first of its kind in Punjab) comprising an
audio-visual centre, a library and a graphic gallery in the vicinity of the
safaris."
Officials
added that most infrastructural work will be completed within the first year and
will cost about Rs 1.6 crore. Of the 300-acre area of Jhajjar and Bachauli, 100
acres will be given to the lion safari, while the deer safari will come up in
the remaining area.
As
desired by the visiting experts, brick walls and concrete pillars will be built
round the safaris to ensure the safety of translocated animals. Nearly 50
hectares of land will have to be planted to provide proper food and cover to the
animals. Said an official, "Apart from Eucalyptus and Kher, we will have
Ficus, Butea, Amaltas, Neem, and Bahera. This is to acclimatise the animals to
the surroundings." There will also be a provision of feeding grounds. Since
animals will be brought in from various zoos of the state, they will be
stall-fed.
Translocation
will begin only after the essential infrastructure has been provided. According
to sources, some animals will be released by March 31 next year. The species of
deer to be translocated will include Sambar, Cheetal, Hog Deer and Barking Deer.
Translocation will be done after seeking permission from the State government
and the Central Zoo Authority of India.
It
was informed that a full-fledged veterinary complex will come up in the park.
"Because animals will be shifted from various zoos of the state, there are
chances of their being sick or injured. So, a good team of doctors is essential.
We will also post a DFO, a wildlife warden, three inspectors, four wildlife
guards, apart from other Class IV employees to look after the park," an
official said.
Officials
claim that with the completion of the project, the area will present a replica
of the forests of old days. "It will be a major tourist attraction,
especially during Holla Mohalla," said an official.
Source:
Indian Express
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