Punjab to get new wildlife sanctuary

Punjab Minister for Forests and Wildlife Preservation, Tikshan Sud has disclosed that a wildlife sanctuary will be developed in the forests near Nangal National Wetland area. Divulging the information while presiding over a meeting in Nangal yesterday, he said the wildlife sanctuary will be established in about 715 acres in and around Khera Bagh, Hambewal, Bhabhor, Sahib, Swamipur, Dubeta and Talwara villages. The land is already a protected forest area. He said that work to establish wildlife sanctuary will be completed within one-and-a- half years and an amount of Rs 1.65 crore will be spent for the same, informed a UNI report.

Sud said people of the area need not worry as their land would not be acquired for the project as the wildlife sanctuary would be established on the forest department land. He said an Ecotourism project will also be undertaken in the area to develop it as an international tourist destination. People of the area will benefit immensely because of the project and sought their cooperation for the establishment of the sanctuary. Principal Secretary (forests) R C Nayyar;