Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar on Sunday said that Gharana Wetland will be added as a tourist attraction very soon in Jammu region. Preparations are underway to develop the site into a bird sanctuary, with all the facilities and services to make it one of the most attractive tourist attractions of the Jammu region.
Gharana Wetland is located approximately 35 km from Jammu. At present, authorities are working towards a sustainable development of the wetland reserve. Their plan is to turn this wetland reserve into one of Jammu’s most popular tourist attractions.
At present, the Gharana Wetlands is one of the most important habitats for the resident as well as migratory birds. So it is imperative to not disturb the wetland. The development of the wetland will be aimed at making the wetland accessible in a sustainable manner.
The Advisor while visiting the wetland in R S Pura reviewed the progress of the ongoing developmental works there. He took a detailed round of the wetland and took on spot assessment of all the ongoing construction works.
Interacting with the officers during the visit, Advisor said, “It is our prime duty to maintain the integrity of wetlands as they form the main habitat for migratory as well as other bird species.”
On the occasion, he directed the officers to complete the works on the approach road, parking bay, chain link fencing drains as well as other facilities on time. “Utilities need to be provided to the local visitors as well as tourists,” he said.
The Gharana Wetland Conservation Reserve holds around 65 species of birds, among which around 20 are migratory bird species coming from Central Asia, Mongolia, Russia and other places. The most common birds which attract visitors are bar-headed geese, common teals, Indian moorhens, gadwalls, greenshanks flocks, purple swamp-hens Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Black-winged Stian, Grey Heron, White-breasted Ibis, Pied Kingfisher and Eurasian Wigeon, Woolly-necked Storks and other species.
During the sidelines of the visit, the Advisor also interacted with the Sarpanch as well as locals of the Gharana area and discussed with them the issues and concerns pertaining to their area.
While interacting with them, the Advisor highlighted that the Gharana Wetland’s surrounding villages will benefit from the eco-and-border tourism in the area. He also assured them that all of their genuine issues will be addressed on priority.
The Government developing the site as a tourist attraction, Gharana will have a proper approach road, visitor parking area, and chain-link fences. All these, while making sure that the natural habitat of the birds are not disturbed.
Source – RisingKashmir
