Ropar gets bird watch centre to boost ecotourism

Strap: Though yet to be inaugurated, group tours already started; bird fest to end on Feb 7

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What’s in store

* The Rs10-crore project includes an interpretation centre, where information about birds and other literature for promotion of ecotourism in the state would be provided to visitors

* Three bird watch towers and a boardwalk have also been constructed, where tourists would be able to have a close look at the birds

* A nature trail in the Sadabrat Protected Forest will delight forest enthusiasts and morning walkers

Tribune News Service

Ropar, February 2

The district is likely to witness boost in ecotourism soon as the state Tourism Department has set up a bird watch centre amid dense forest area of Sadabrat.

Though its formal inauguration is yet to be scheduled, the Ropar wildlife department has already started group tours of students to the area on the outskirts of Ropar town with scenic backdrop of Ropar wetland and hills.

The Rs 10 crore project includes an interpretation centre, where information about birds and other literature for promotion of ecotourism in the state would be provided to visitors.

Besides, three bird watch towers and a boardwalk have been constructed, where tourists would be able to have a close look at the birds. A nature trail in the Sadabrat Protected Forest will delight forest enthusiasts and morning walkers.

Ropar Wetland was designated as Ramsar site of international importance in 2002. District Forest Officer (Wildlife) Monika Yadav said a variety of astonishing birds, including migratory winged guests, can be spotted in the area.

“Local birds as well as migratory birds, 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 can be spotted in the area,” she added.

To spread awareness about the importance of water, wetlands and birds, the Punjab Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation is holding a bird fest. Yadav said seminars and bird watching tours for students along with essay and painting competitions had already been started.

On February 6, a photography exhibition along with painting competition would be held, while the fest would conclude on February 7 with a valedictory function.