Rupnagar Wetland Offers a Perfect Setting

Recently we got an opportunity to be part of a field visit to the Rupnagar wetland, a 1365 hectares expanse of forests and water bodies declared as of “international importance” under the Ramsar Convention, to observe conservation measures, and we stumbled on a perfect venue for a weekend getaway. The trip was part of North Regional Workshop on Conservation & Management of Wetlands organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India and Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST). We share some of our enjoyable experiences of the trip to facilitate individuals, groups, families and schools to plan their outings after taking approvals.

 

A Bat Park was the last thing we had expected to come across as we hit the nature trail in the Sadabrat Forest, covering over 30 hectares within the wetland area, about 50 kms from Chandigarh. But there it was hundreds of Fruit Bats, most of them in their usual hanging perch and others gliding in the air with their large wings spread out.

PHOTOS BY: VIKRAM JOY
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rnrnSince we reached the place in blazing sunshine, there was not much more of wildlife to be seen, but forest officials informed that several other habitants of the wild like sambars, porcupines, pangolins, wild boars, peacocks, neelgais, snakes and pythons can be found here.

rnrnWell known wildlife rescuer Nikhil Sengar from Nawanshahr, who was accompanying us, apprised us of interesting traits of some of these species and related some of his memorable experiences of rescuing injured pythons, big cats and others.

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rnThe forest is also home to 25 different species of trees, the most common being  Sheesham, Arjun, Amla, Peepal, Taali, Kikar, Khajur, Lasoora, Amaltas, Jamun, Kendu and Bamboo.

A narrow seasonal nallah also runs through the forest area.

Nikhil Sengar shares his experiences
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rnParticipants on the nature trail
rn A facilitation centre is fast coming up with the assistance of Asian Development Bank near the forest guest house to promote eco tourism. Currently individuals, groups, families and schools are allowed into the nature trail after seeking permission from the Divisional Forest Officer, Rupnagar (Phone No. 01881-222231)

The lake
rnNext on the itinerary was the Ropar headworks, where the water gushing into the Sirhind canal from the vast expanse of the lake was a treat to watch. Going upstream we were witness to the calm and serene environs of the Satluj river.

Expanse of Satluj river
rnNearly 25 kms ahead, we are told, is Kikar Lodge, luxury nature retreat & spa, which its website boasts is India’s first private forest reserve spread over 1800 acres.

Water gushing into Sirhind Canal
rnConservation measures are underway from various line departments like irrigation department, forest department and soil conservation department, which are planting more trees and bushes and erecting check dams in the entire catchment area to minimise the flow of silt into the water bodies.

rnrnThe wetland is actively being considered for a biodiversity park proposed by the Government of India, Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora, Executive Director, PSCST, informed the participants of the field visit during a brain-storming session.

Panoramic view of Kikar Lodge
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rnAmong other measures suggested were fencing of the forest with the help of a bio fence (a wide hedge wall) and innovative steps to make local population, including adults and school students, stake holders in the ongoing conservation process.