Thana’s biodiversity hotspot hangs fire

Vishal Joshi

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Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, September 17

It has been more than a year since Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated Haryana’s maiden community reserve project to conserve a natural habitat of endangered species of turtles and a bird sanctuary at Thana village in the district.

But the initiative has failed to make any significant progress so far.

After inaugurating the project on July 30, 2017, Khattar had announced preservation of an ancient Brahmsar pond that also hosts more than 60 species of migratory and resident birds every year. The pond is spread over 100-acres and the panchayat allowed the state Wildlife Department to conserve and promote the waterbody and its vicinity.

Last year, the authorities sanctioned a sum of Rs 8 crore for the development of Thana project.

Though the Forest Department started forestation on the island but the work to construct a boundary wall around the Brahmsar has not begun.

District Forest Officer (territorial) Virender Gill said three private bidders had applied for the work and only one was found eligible for it.

“As one bidder was left in the process on September 6, the matter has now been forwarded to the state authorities to decide upon. While the forest division undertakes construction activities, the Wildlife wing of the state Forest Department will work on the rest of the project,” said Gill.

A seven-member panel has been formed for the project, which includes panchayat nominees and an amateur wildlife enthusiast from Kaithal, Dr Chetna Sharma.

The committee has been mandated for the conservation of a biodiversity hotspot around the ancient Brahamsar pond at Thana village, located about 50 km from here on Pehowa-Kaithal highway.

Sharma, a birdwatcher, said the authorities had now given up the construction activities till April next year. A wall was needed to restrict the entry of cattle and stray dogs to ensure protection to turtles and the avian population.

“Birds from India and abroad start arriving at Thana by the end of October and any construction at this juncture will seriously hamper their presence. The bird sanctuary and turtle population make Thana a rich biodiversity hotspot and coordinated efforts are required to expedite the wok”, she added.