Kathlour wildlife reserve open to tourists: The Tribune India

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune press service

Pathankot, September 26

The Kathlour Wildlife Reserve opened its doors to ecotourists for the first time since its creation in 2007.

3 eco-sensitive areas

• The sanctuary has three zones – environmentally sensitive, buffer and core zones. Tourists are not allowed to leave the environmentally sensitive area. The main refuge for wildlife is the central area which is a protected area
• An improvised 11-seater golf cart, which is a pollution-free and noise-free vehicle, will take visitors around the sanctuary. A 5 km nature trail has also been set up. Private vehicles have been banned but a dozen bicycles wave to tourists
• There is an island in the middle of the area. A cafeteria was also built. To get a perfect view of the surrounding area, visitors can climb to the top of one of the two 30-foot towers

The safe haven for animals and birds, in an idyllic setting, covers an area of ​​1,860 acres on the banks of the Ravi. It is maintained by the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Conservation.

The shrine had a lot of tourist potential but the rules did not allow people to visit it. “However, once there was a rule change recently, we decided to let the world take a look. Funds were limited, but Deputy Commissioner Sanyam Aggarwal struggled to secure Rs 1.2 crore released from District Minerals Foundation funds Principal Chief Forestry Custodian Raman Kant Misra was the guiding spirit, “said Rajesh Mahajan, Divisional Forestry Officer (Wildlife).

“Wildlife need nature not only to survive, but also to live freely. Unfortunately, many species are struggling to survive due to increased human activity and expansion into their natural habitats. With that idea in mind, we have now developed three zones – eco-sensitive, buffer and core zones. Tourists are not allowed to leave the environmentally sensitive area. The main refuge for wildlife is the central area which is a protected area. Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect humanity, ”Mahajan said.

An improvised 11-seater golf cart, which is a pollution-free and noise-free vehicle, will take visitors around the sanctuary. A 5 km nature trail has also been set up. Private vehicles have been banned but around ten bicycles are waving to tourists. There is an island in the middle of the area. A cafeteria was also built. To get a perfect view of the surrounding area, visitors can climb to the top of one of the two 30-foot towers. Authorities expect a strong stampede from October through February, when the cold weather is actually conducive to both humans and wildlife.

“Wildlife is something that can never be built. Once he’s lost, he’s gone forever. Man can rebuild a pyramid but he cannot rebuild the ecology, ”said DC Aggarwal.