Bird-watching centre at Ropar to boost ecotourism

Tribune News Service

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Ropar, February 8

The Tourism Department has set up a bird-watching centre amid the dense forest area of Sadabrat on the outskirts of Ropar town. Though its formal inauguration is to be scheduled, the Ropar Wildlife Department has already started student tours.

Set up on the bank of the Sutlej in the wetland area, the project worth Rs 10 crore includes an interpretation centre, where information about birds and other literature to promote ecotourism will be provided to the visitors.

The Ropar wetland was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002. Beside this, three bird-watching towers and a boardwalk have also been constructed. People can enjoy a morning walk on the nature trail in the Sadabrat Protected Forest.

Monika Yadav, District Forest Officer (Wildlife), Ropar, said many species of local birds as well as migratory-winged guests, including Himalayan bulbul, plum-headed parakeet, great barbet, Indian peafowl, grey hornbill, Asian koel, black francolin, Eurasian coot, ruddy shelduck, red-crested pochard, bar-headed goose, great cormorant, mallard, gadwall and little egret could be spotted in the area.

Last week, to create awareness among the masses about the importance of water, wetlands and birds, a bird fest was organised, during which seminars and bird-watching tours for students, along with essay-writing and painting competitions, were held, said the DFO.