Based on the lines of walk-in-aviary set up by the Chhatbir Zoo, the UT forest and wild life department is also mulling to set up such an aviary in Smriti Van near Sukhna Lake. The project was approved by former advisor to the administrator Parimal Rai after which a committee was constituted for the project to be completed in two phases.
According to the plan, the UT wildlife department is planning to make birds enclosure in such a way that the birds apart from having free flight, ability to nest and natural habitat will stay at the aviary, and visitors will walk past them having close glimpse of its rare species.
According to a survey, there are around 420 species of birds found in Chandigarh and nearby areas and the plan is that the forest department will create a micro habitat at Smriti Van to attract the birds and develop the area as a tourist attraction.
The sources in the UT wildlife department said that the enclosure will be of very thin layers form of net which will be covering the trees so that the birds may not be able to fly away and remain inside the aviary. The committee constituted for the project at present is conducting a study about the habitat of the area, flora, and water quality
UT deputy conservator of forests, Abdul Quyam said, “We are working on setting up of the aviary at Smriti Van. The committee is working on it but it will take time to set up the birds park. It’s in planning stage only. After the model code of conduct, the process will take a good speed.
The walk-in-bird aviary established at Chattbir Zoo is the longest in the country with 300-meter walk along the meshed tunnel giving real-time feel to the visitors. The aviary has enclosed more than 40 bird species.
The administration has already developed a park at Smriti Van under Nagar Van Udhyan Yojana. Around 100-acre site behind Sukhna Lake has been developed into an eco-friendly destination wherein residents can walk and enjoy the nature. The forest department has also created a large size waterbody with an island where residents can go and enjoy the scenic beauty. The department has also installed a gym in the park worth Rs 2 crore. In the second phase of the project, there is a plan to set up a walk-through bird aviary. Recently, the UT wildlife and forest department developed shallow waterbodies to attract migratory birds and also to serve as drinking water place for wild animals in Sukhna Wildlife Reserve.
The UT wildlife department has built eight shallow waterbodies and one big waterbody in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary to nurture the migratory birds and make them comfortable for nesting and breeding. Such waterbodies will also act as a source of drinking water for other animals like sambhars, antelopes, nilgais and jackals found in the the sanctuary. Quyam added that keeping birds away from noise pollution at Sukhna Lake, the wildlife department has built eight shallow waterbodies and one big waterbody inside the Sukhna wildlife sanctuary under Nagar Van Udyan Yojana.