Rampura Phul park treat for nature lovers

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 2

The nature and biodiversity park, named Bir Dyalpura, at Dyalpura Bhaika in Rampura Phul tehsil of district Bathinda is a treat for nature lovers, besides being home to hundreds of species of birds, animals and plants found in the Malwa region. Spread in over 202 acres on the Barnala-Bajakhana road, the park has graduated from being a nursery of the Forest Department to a full-fledged park in 2015.

The project was given its new avatar with mesmerising lush green nature trail, entrance facade, benches for visitors, an inspection bungalow, rain shelters and a couple of swings meant to attract little nature lovers.

It is an attraction for commuters on the Barnala-Bajakhan road and people from nearby villages who often throng the place in morning and evening hours. Students from various educational institutes too find the place worth visiting for learning.

Having a periphery of 6.5 km, the park has around seven mammal species and around 35 bird species. It also houses animals and birds, including blue bull, jackal, hedgehog, common mongoose, common hare, jungle cat, porcupine, monkeys and common langoor and snakes.

Winged natives include pea fowl, baya weaver, bulbul, woodpecker, cattle egret, heron, kingfisher, teal, oriole, myna, doves, parakeets, quill, partridges and many others.

Besides, the park boasts of 52 trees species, besides a number of shrubs and herbs. It is lined with trees of mulberry, neem, arjun, shisham, Burma drek, amaltas and many others that are home to winged visitors.

Employees of the Forest Department provide drinking water to the birds and animals through two ponds in the park. One pond is made of concrete and the other one is kutcha housing a large variety of birds.

Divisional Forest Officer Amrit Pal Singh said the department planned to add informative boards to the park describing its rich flora and fauna as well as tourism-friendly features. The department had sought funds for the same.