Jhajjar bird sanctuary to be tourism hub

Ravinder Saini

The Bhindawas bird sanctuary in Jhajjar will get a facelift to promote tourism. The largest wetland of Haryana spread over 1,017 acres will be developed under a plan to attract both domestic and foreign tourists and provide a good habitat with a plenty of food to migratory birds for breeding. Thousands of winged guests of 150 species from several countries flock to the sanctuary during the winter.  

The Forest and Wildlife Department has chalked out a detailed plan 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. The department is also considering launching the boating facility there, says Deepak Alwadhi, Divisional Wildlife Officer. The authorities will also be urged to connect the sanctuary to all nearby highways to make it easily approachable for tourists. 

“Under the first phase of the plan, water hyacinth are 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,” says Alwadhi. 

He adds hyacinth not only diminish the availability of food for migratory birds but also pose a serious threat to their habitat. Hence, the removal of hyacinth at regular intervals is imperative to create a congenial atmosphere for winged guests for nesting and breeding.  

“We are also imparting 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,” says Alwadhi.

He adds the 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.