Punjab has decided to develop the Beas belt as “habitat of gharials”. The decision was taken after the Punjab Wildlife Department and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWFN) completed a survey as a consequence of which 15 male and female gharials would be released in the Beas belt in February-March 2016.
“This endeavour is part of the plan of the State Government to make Beas Belt, near Harike Patan, a habitat of gharials,” said an official spokesperson, adding that this would give impetus to the area in emerging as a major tourist destination.
Spokesperson elaborated that experts from the WWFN have planned to release gharials near Karmowal village in Beas belt as they have found this area has water bodies in ample measures with sand banks thereby making it suitable for being developed as habitat for these animals.
A close watch would be kept on gharials after being released and after the success of the initial phase, more gharials would be released, he said.
Spokesperson said that Harike Patan water bodies have 15 Dolphins, besides having various varieties of wild boars, cat and fish making this region a perfect site for promoting and developing wildlife.