4 months on, Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary opens for residents

The Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary was opened for citizens today after remaining closed for four months during the monsoon.

The sanctuary was opened with the annual tracking event, which was part of the Wildlife Week being observed during the first week of October all over the country, with the objective of raising awareness among masses for conservation of wildlife and its habitat. This year theme for wildlife week is “Human animal coexistence”.

The Department of Forests and Wildlife, UT, is also organising various programmes during the week from October 3 to 8 to sensitise people and promote the protection and conservation of wildlife, nature and natural resources.

UT Chief Secretary Mandip Singh Brar flagged off the trekking event in the presence of Saurabh Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Anup Kumar Soni, Conservator of Forests, and Navneet Kumar Srivastava, Deputy Conservator of Forests.

The walk started from Nepli forest and culminated at Kansal log hut and covered approximately 10 km in length, passing through three hillocks and reaching a maximum height of 1,500 feet. Approximately 209 people participated in the trek, which included schoolchildren and people, including senior citizens. After the trekking ended at Kansal log hut, awareness programmes were organised, including poster-making and inter-school quiz competitions.

On public demand, the timing of the Butterfly Park, Sector 26, has been changed and it will now remain open from 6 am to 6pm, with a short break in between.

The Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee and CREST also sensitised the citizens through “Say no to plastics” campaign and promotion of electric vehicles.

Saurabh highlighted the upcoming trekking events scheduled on October 5, 25 and 26 (Nepli to Kansal log hut).