Haryana’s Bhindawas bird sanctuary to have a face-lift

The Bhindawas bird sanctuary in Jhajjar, the largest wetland of Haryana, will get a face-lift to promote tourism. The area spread over 1,017 acres will be developed to attract both domestic and foreign tourists and provide a good habitat with a plenty of food to migratory birds for breeding. As per records, thousands of birds of around 150 species from several countries flock to the sanctuary during the winter.

A project has been chalked out by The Forest and Wildlife Department to construct a beautiful entrance gate, a boundary wall, a stylish watch tower, an interlocking pathway, comfortable benches for rest and food courts for tourists on the premises of the sanctuary. Providing boating facilities for the tourists is also in the plan.

“Under the first phase of the plan, water hyacinth is being removed from 252 acres and mesquites from 85 acres on the premises of the sanctuary. The work to construct the fourth watch tower to facilitate birdwatchers has also started,” said Deepak Alwadhi, Divisional Wildlife Officer.

He added that removal of hyacinth at regular intervals is imperative to create a congenial atmosphere for winged guests for nesting and breeding.

“We are also providing skill development training to women from nearby villages in preparing products from water hyacinth to generate income. More than 100 women have so far been trained and they are earning money by making and selling products such as shopping bags, women purses, hats, baskets, mats, bottle holders and jewellery boxes. These products had earned appreciation in the handicrafts fair at Surajkund recently,” said Alwadhi.

Nature Guide Training Programme is being run in the sanctuary to provide a source of income to local unemployed youths during the winter when thousands of visitors come to the sanctuary for bird watching.

The concerned authorities will be contacted and urged to connect the sanctuary to all nearby highways to make it easily approachable for tourists.