A ‘Birds Paradise’ would be developed in the union territory of Chandigarh with the Administration chalking out an ambitious plan to develop a ‘Bird Park’ here on the lines of Jurong Bird Park in Singapore.
The ‘Bird Park’ would be built on about four acres of land in ‘Nagar Van’, the forest area behind the Sukhna Lake.
“The Chandigarh Administration has planned to develop the ‘Bird Park’, a home to resident and migratory species of birds here. The project envisages creating a new tourist attraction in Chandigarh and a place for bird lovers and aspiring ornithologists,” said Manoj Kumar Parida, Advisor to UT Administrator.
He said, “Since the park is being developed on the lines of famous Jurong Bird Park, we are sending an officer to Singapore to study various aspects of bird ecology so that the model can be replicated successfully here in Chandigarh.”
Jurong Bird Park, Asia’s largest bird park houses more than 3500 bird across around 400 species including threatened species. This sprawling park offers adventurous experience to capture the winged beauties during walk in waterfall aviary, bird shows among other events.
Giving details of the proposed project, UT Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden, Debendra Dalai while talking to The Pioneer said, “The ‘Bird Park’ is proposed to be developed in two phases in Nagar Van.”
‘Nagar Van’ was opened here for the visitors last year. Spread over 100 hectares in and around the lake reserve forest area, Nagar Van has facilities such as walkways, jogging trails, nature trails, shallow water bodies, visitors’ shed among others.
Dalia said, “In the first phase, we have planned to develop open areas to house resident bird species and migratory birds.
In the second phase, aviaries would be built for the exotic species of birds. A water body has already been developed in the area,” he said.
“We have also planned to bring various species of exotic birds here,” he added.
Notably, over thousands of winged guests have been making their abode at water bodies in the city every winter for over 26 years now. The migratory birds reach Chandigarh every year by mid-November from Siberia, Central Asia and the upper Himalayas and their stay lasts till March.
Apart from migratory birds, the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary here is a home to more than 65 species of birds.