Ravi Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service
Pathankot, September 26
The Kathlour wildlife sanctuary has thrown its doors open to eco-tourists for the first time since it came into existence in 2007.
3 eco-sensitive zones
- The sanctuary has three zones – eco-sensitive, buffer and the core zones. Tourists are not allowed to go beyond the eco-sensitive zone. The main refuge of wildlife is the core zone which is a protected zone
- An 11-seater improvised golf cart, which is a pollution and noise free vehicle, will take visitors around the sanctuary. A 5-km long nature trail has also been established. Private vehicles have been banned but a dozen bicycles beckon the tourists
- There is an island in the middle of the area. A cafeteria, too, has been constructed. To have a perfect view of the surroundings visitors can climb atop either of the two 30-feet towers
The safe haven for animals and birds, having idyllic surroundings, is spread over an area of 1,860 acres on the banks of the Ravi. It is maintained by the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation.
The sanctuary had a lot of tourist potential but the rules did not allow for people to visit it. “However, once there is a change in rules recently, we decided to let the world have a peep. Funds were restricted but Deputy Commissioner Sanyam Aggarwal made efforts to get Rs 1.2 crore released from the District Minerals Foundation funds. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Raman Kant Misra was the guiding spirit,” said Rajesh Mahajan, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife).
“Wildlife needs wilderness not just to survive, but also to live freely. Sadly, many species struggle to survive due to increased human activity and expansion into their natural habitats. With this idea in mind, we have now developed three zones — eco-sensitive, buffer and the core zones. Tourists are not allowed to go beyond the eco-sensitive zone. The main refuge of wildlife is the core zone which is a protected zone. Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect mankind,” said Mahajan.
An 11-seater improvised golf cart, which is a pollution and noise free vehicle, will take visitors around the sanctuary. A 5-km long nature trail has also been established. Private vehicles have been banned but a dozen bicycles beckon the tourists. There is an island in the middle of the area. A cafeteria, too, has been constructed. To have a perfect view of the surroundings visitors can climb atop either of the two 30-feet towers. Officials are expecting a heavy rush from October till February when the cold weather is actually conducive to both the humans and wildlife.
“Wildlife is something which can never be constructed. Once it is lost, it is gone forever. Man can rebuild a pyramid but he cannot rebuild the ecology,” said DC Aggarwal.
Kathlour wildlife sanctuary thrown open to tourists
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