Udhwa lake bird sanctuary of Sahebganj, the only avian habitat of otherwise green Jharkhand, has attracted the attention of the Central Government.
Till now the bird sanctuary, spreading in 5.65 square kilometers comprising two backwater lakes over river Ganga, has been low profile in the want of fund and attention and has not been able to get the tourist attention it deserves.
Information coming in suggests that the Forest and Environment Department is in the process of revisiting the management plan prepared for the sanctuary way back in 2004-05 that is also set to expire in 2015. “We are taking a relook at the plan as presently the sanctuary is given just 10-12 lakh annually for expenditures like maintenance of motor boat and patrolling etc. Apart from keeping an eye on poaching there is not much activity going on,” said a senior official.
About 50 km away from Sahebganj, the entire sanctuary area comprises two water bodies namely Pathaura lake of 1.55 sq km and Barhel lake of 4.10 sq km. The backwater lakes near Farakka barrage get filled during monsoon when the Ganga’s distributory Hubli swells. The wet land gets large number of migratory birds like Pratincole, Egret, Wagtail, Plover, lapwing, Stork, Ibis, Heron, Wader during the dry spells.
“The Estimate Committee during its tour wanted to know about works being executed there and expenses being incurred. They would submit their report to Parliament and it is expected that specific recommendations would be made for Udhwa bird sanctuary,” said a top official. He also admitted that the potentially much richer wildlife spot of the State require higher attention and not the neglect the lone wetland is living with.
The Estimate committee of Parliament reports what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency or administrative reform, consistent with the policy underlying the estimates may be effected with a step. It also suggests alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in administration and examine whether the money is well laid out within the limits of the policy implied in the estimates before its report being presented to Parliament.