The Asiatic lion news archive - 2000

Stories relating to the Asiatic lion and updates on the captive breeding programme from 2000.

DATELINE : July 4th 2000
Govt chalks out plans to revive lake sanctuary

AHMEDABAD: The state forest department appears to have woken up to the pressing need of preserving its natural treasure. It has taken some significant decisions to improve tourist facilities as well as the habitat for birds in the Nalsarovar lake sanctuary, 45 km from here.

The department has built a canal -- 6 meters wide and 1 km long – right from the entry point of the lake, where boats will ferry tourists around. Besides, a 4.5 km long earthen wall has been built, blocking the water outlet from the lake. The wall will raise the level of the lake by about four to five meters, conservator of forest T R M Prasad said.

A decision to facilitate de-congestion of the tourist spot where all the boats used to be concentrated has also been taken, informs Prasad. The wall would help retain water round the year in the shallow lake, spread over 120 sq. km.

The lake is a low-lying area between the plains of central Gujarat and eastern Saurashtra. It was declared as a bird sanctuary in 1969, including its wetlands. Harbouring more than 250 species of birds, Nalsarovar is one of the largest wetland bird sanctuaries in Gujarat. Forest department officials feel it has the potential to match the country's best water bird sanctuaries.

There are 360 odd islets in the lake and most of them lie exposed when the water level is low, like it is at present. The lake gets filled with water that drains from adjoining Surendranagar and Ahmedabad districts in the monsoon. With this fresh water inflow, concentration of brackish content in the lake will be reduced considerably.

Among the migratory birds that home in to the lake are flocks of pelicans, flamingos, ducks, demoiselle cranes, common cranes and several waders.

The Times of India News Service; Tuesday 4 July 2000