Sight dolphins from glass houses next year

CHANDIGARH: In welcome tidings for dolphin lovers and wildlife enthusiasts of India, the eco-tourism project planned at Harike wildlife sanctuary to conserve the endangered freshwater Indus River dolphins has come a step closer to reality, with tenders being floated on November 12. According to plan, December 2015 is the deadline for completion of the project.

Twelve offspring of this rare species of dolphins were spotted in a single sighting by the Punjab forest officials soon after their discovery in March 2006.

The project site has been finalized at the Harike Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over a 86 square km area of a man-made reservoir created by the confuence of Beas and Satluj rivers.

The project has got a Rs 21-crore push from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Punjab government.

“There is a palpable sense of excitement among both wildlife enthusiasts and forest officials about the new project. Indus dolphins are the most prized mammals, but not many know that Harike sanctuary is also home to rare Smooth Indian Otters as well as fishing cats and jackals,” said Dhirendra Kumar, chief wildlife warden, Punjab.

To add to the tourist appeal, canoeing facilities have been planned, with boat jetties and streamer boats having a capacity of 30 people.

Five battery-operated vehicles, 20 bicycles, 20 rickshaws, 10 paddle boats, five canoes, two steamer boats and five motor boats will be provided at a total cost of Rs 2.39 crore.

For the first time in India, 10 floating glass cottages with 30 beds will be erected in the standing water of Harike at a cost of Rs 2 crore.

“These floating cottages will have facilities of drinking water and washroom,” said a tourism official with Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB).

Three strategic islands have also been indentified for installing watch towers for serious birdwatchers.

As part of the wetland area is maintained by the Border Security Force (BSF) officials, a wooden bridge will be constructed from Makhu check post to Bootiwala check post till the Satluj bank for nature trails at a cost of Rs 50 lakh.