Naini forest department draws up Rs 40cr plan to develop birdwatching spots

NAINITAL: The Nainital forest department has drawn up a Rs 40 crore plan to develop famous birdwatching spots like Tagore Top, Pangot and Kilbury and to expand the 35-acre Botanical Garden under the central government’s 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme.
The proposal also includes building of tree houses at selected spots. Forest department officers said that the project would be first-of-its kind and incorporate eco-friendly technologies like water harvesting and harnessing of solar and wind energy.
Dharam Singh Meena, divisional forest officer (Nainital division) said, “The project is funded completely by the central government.”
Botanical Garden, 4 km from Nainital town, will be expanded to include study centres for energy and wildlife conservation, an artificial lake, small waterfalls, a butterfly park, aqua culture, soil conservation and plantation of various species. Projects to harness energy through solar and wind mills will also be carried out there.
Kilbury, 13 km from Nainital town, will be developed as a birdwatching destination. Tree houses have also been planned in Kilbury. Pangot and Kunjiyakhadak will also be developed as birdwatching destinations.
Other spots like Hanumangarhi, Mahesh khan, Ramgarh and Mukteshwar will also be developed with an aim to boost tourism to these sites. Mahesh Khan, where poet and thinker Rabindranath Tagore is believed to have found inspiration for his magnum opus Gitanjali, will be developed as a mountain biking trail.
The tourism ministry has sanctioned 25 projects worth Rs 2,048 crore for 21 states and Union Territories under 'Swadesh Darshan' since January 2015 when the scheme was launched.