LUCKNOW: UP might be a favoured destination for river cruising in days to come. The National Chambal Sanctuary is set for a major revamp. The government is keen on harnessing the untapped tourism potential of the region. Being the home to the last of the Ghariyals remaining, along with eight rare species of turtles and Gangetic dolphins, the sanctuary never got its due share of recognition, leave alone being a revenue contributor.
Right now, the sanctuary gets a trickle of local and foreign tourists in a year. But, it's mainly because of a few private tour operators who offer river cruising and ride to ravines in the sanctuary area. Though the state, so far, has not capitalised in on the river's tourist potential, it has now put the sanctuary's revival on a firm footing.
The officials of the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) have received the instructions from the state government and is preparing a detailed plan. "We are working on developing the area as a tourist hub," said Sujoy Banerjee, divisional forest officer, National Chambal Sanctuary. The 425 kms of the Chambal river was declared a protected area in 1979.
The Chambal ravines which have attracted notoriety for being havens for dacoits, will get a makeover with none other than the chief minister Akhilesh Yadav overseeing the project. "The area was destroyed when Congress was in power. In order to drive out dacoits, the Congress government planted thorny bushes all over the place...helicopters were used to drop seeds for 'babool' plantation. We will clear bushes and plant trees," he had said in his recent interview to TOI. The river originates from Kota in Rajasthan, runs through sandy ravines and ends at Bhare in Etawah, where is merges with the Yamuna. The sanctuary area runs along three states of UP, MP and Rajasthan. UP has 150 km of the river sanctuary running along Bah (Agra) and Etawah.
It's approximately 77 km away from the Taj Mahal. The plan is to attract the Taj-bound tourists to Chambal sanctuary, by offering river cruise and river safari. And, to do so forest department has identified spots along the river which can be developed as tourism sites. Though the officials said, it's yet to be finalised, four ghats -- Sehson, Udi, Panchnada and Bhare -- along Chambal have emerged as potential tourism sites.
Etawah already has a Lion safari coming up, which will hardly be an hour-drive from Agra. Developing Chambal sanctuary will build a tourism corridor, in Agra and Etawah. The government is of the opinion that this will not only supplement the incomes of those associated with tourism industry in the state but also create additional employment opportunities.
Among the USP of the sanctuary is its serene ambience, despite the fact that it's close to Agra. It has no industries along its banks and that makes it one of the cleanest rivers. besides, it's one of the unparalleled wildlife spots in the country.
Among the major wildlife attractions are Ghariyals, which are critically endangered. Apart from 200 to 250 ghariyals found in Nepal, most of the remaining 1,500 are found in three Indian rivers — Son, Geruwa and Chambal. The Chambal sanctuary, however, shelters maximum, close to 700.
Besides, eight of the rare turtle species, including the red crowned roof turtle, and critically threatened Gangetic dolphins are found in the sanctuary area. The sanctuary is also one of the important bird areas and a proposed Ramsar site (for being identified as an important wetlands for conservation).
Two bird sanctuaries, Patna in Etah district and Saman in Mainpuri, are located very close to the sanctuary. The region has also the maximum population of Sarus crane and has hundreds of migratory birds visiting it in the winters. "The plan that the department is working on will take into account the rich wildlife in the area," said the DFO.
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