The Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary that falls in the Haldwani forest division is all set to be opened for the first time for tourists from Saturday. Coinciding with the first anniversary of this wildlife sanctuary on December 14, the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary will be opened only for day visit of the public initially given its present State of basic infrastructure.
The State Dairy Development Minister and MlA from lalkuan Assembly constituency, Harish Durgapal, in whose constituency this sanctuary falls, is expected to inaugurate the first anniversary celebrations of this sanctuary and open it for tourism purpose on December 14, the officials concerned informed. “We were planning to open the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary for the general public for quite sometime. Finally we decided to open this sanctuary for tourism purpose from its first anniversary which is on December 14,” said PC Arya, SDO, Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary, while talking to The Pioneer.
The basic purpose of integrating this wildlife sanctuary with the tourism under our eco-tourism plan is to make people aware about the wildlife and biodiversity and their role in our ecosystem, he added. However, initially, this wildlife sanctuary will be available only for day visit of the public. In view of the present status of the basic infrastructure the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary has, we have decided to restrict tourism activities only to day time, Arya further said.
later on availability of required basic infrastructure comprising guest houses, better road connectivity and basic services to name a few, the tourists may also be allowed for night stay in the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary. It is worth mention here that wildlife destination like the Corbett Tiger Reserve, Ramnagar, is already offering the night stay facility to the tourists.In the meanwhile, it is to note that had condition of the link roads inside the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary been in proper condition during rainy season, this wildlife sanctuary would have been opened for the general public much earlier.
However, the officials concerned have maintained that mobility that was badly disrupted during rainy season has almost been restored inside the said sanctuary. Now it is in better condition for allowing tourism activities in the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary. In the meanwhile, the State Forest Department has already completed other necessary formalities like fixing tariffs under different categories for tourists who wish to visit the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is worth mention here that the Nandhaur Valley which is known for its rich natural resources, including flora and fauna, was accorded the status of the wildlife sanctuary only about a year ago. With presence of sal, shisham, bamboo, teak, chir pine and riverine forests in abundance, it also provides a favourable habitat for many wild animals like tiger, leopard, elephant, sloth bear, Mahaseer and Great Pied Hornbill, to name a few.