The Chandigarh Administration has written to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change seeking approval for the construction of a ‘Bird Park’ and ‘Veterinary Hospital’ in Nagar Van here.
To develop the Nagar Van as a major tourist attraction in the city, the UT Forest and Wildlife Department has proposed to develop ‘Bird Park’ housing exotic bird species. The vet hospital would be constructed adjacent to the park.
Spreading over 100 hectares in and around the Sukhna Lake reserve forest area, Nagar Van has facilities such as walkways, jogging trails, nature trails, shallow water bodies, visitors’ shed among others. It was opened for the visitors last year.
Dr Abdul Qayum, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Chandigarh while talking to The Pioneer said, “We have sent a proposal to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change seeking approval for setting up the ‘Veterinary Hospital’ and ‘Bird Park’ in Nagar Van.
“One veterinary doctor, staff members and other wildlife experts will work in the hospital to treat wild animals and birds. The hospital to be developed in Nagar Van will be for wild animals only. At present, the injured wild animals are shifted to SPCA hospital premises in Sector 38 here for treatment,” he said.
The ‘Bird Park’, proposed to be developed on the lines of Jurong Bird Park in Singapore, envisages creating a new tourist spot in Chandigarh and a place for bird lovers and aspiring ornithologists. Two aviaries including one for the exotic bird species and a waterfall is planned to be developed in the park.
Notably, Jurong Bird Park, Asia’s largest bird park houses more than 3500 bird across around 400 species including threatened species.Giving more details of the ‘Bird Park’, the UT DCF said, “The work on developing the park has already begun. In the first phase, two aviaries will be developed. Exotic bird species like Ostrich, Emu, Lorikeets, Parakeets and various water bird species will be kept in the aviaries.”Both the park and hospital will be developed in around two acres land, he added.
Apart from a ‘Birds Paradise’ and vet hospital, the UT Forest and Wildlife Department is also developing three new attractions namely Rashi Van, Nakshatra Van and Navagraha Van in the Nagar Van. These three small groves are astro-themed gardens being developed on the lines of such similar gardens in Daman and Diu and Goa.
