After the bird flu scare Chandigarh Administration has decided to start boating for general public on Thursday after suspending it for several weeks. AK Malhotra, general manager (Tourism) of Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) said the lake would be opened for boating on March 19 and MD CITCO would re-open it in the presence of Adviser to administrator Vijay Kumar Dev and other senior officials. “Special Shikara rides would also be organised for the public on this occasion,” added Malhotra.
The tourist spot at Sukhna lake was completely shut in the wake of the avian flu threat that came to light after a sample of dead goose tested positive for the deadly virus on December 16 last year. Besides this, the whole lake went under surveillance for three months
Chandigarh administration would also build a ‘geese monument’ at the lake for the memory of those chirpy birds which were culled off last year in December after bird flu scare hit the city. More than 120 geese and ducks were culled, most of which were being reared here for the last several years.
Following the direction of the central government, the administration has decided not to allow rearing of any kind of domestic birds at the lake but a monument is planned to ensure that these birds remain in the collective consciousness of the regular visitors. CITCO is also working on a series of events to bring Sukhna back to life.