Chandigarh aviary to have over 40 species of exotic birds

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7

Much to the delight of city residents, the aviary coming up at Nagar Van (city forest) near Sukhna Lake will house over 40 rare species of exotic birds.

Being established on more than four acres of land by the UT Forests and Wildlife Department, the aviary will have 1,470 exotic birds of 46 species.

As per information, the aviary will have separate enclosure for aquatic and terrestrial birds. The heights of the enclosures have been designed keeping in view the flight of the birds. Apart from free flight, the best possible natural habitat will be provided to the birds for nesting and breeding, said a source. A committee constituted for the project had conducted a study about the habitat of the area, flora, and water quality before selecting the birds for the aviary, the source added. The bird aviary will be a major tourist attraction in the city and visitors will be able to have a glimpse of the exotic birds from a close look.

As the work on the aviary is in the final stages, the UT Forests and Wildlife Department has planned to open it after the rainy season.

“The bird aviary will be thrown open to the general public after the monsoon season,” said Debendra Dalai, Chief Conservator of Forests, UT. “The bird aviary will also have beautiful landscapes, which will attract visitors from outside the city as well,” Dalai added. The bird aviary is being developed on the pattern of Jurong Bird Park in Singapore, said another source. Spread over 100 hectares in and around the Sukhna Lake reserve forest area, Nagar Van has facilities such as walkways, jogging trails, nature trails, shallow water bodies, sheds for visitors, among others.