While tigers are important for tourism in the Sariska forests of Rajasthan, the Sariska administration is now considering expanding bird-focused tourism.
This potential has gained momentum after Siliserh Lake was included in the Ramsar wetlands of international importance. The Sariska administration now wants to include several lakes in the Sariska region, in addition to Siliserh, in the Ramsar wetlands, to provide a favorable climate for birds and ensure their conservation.
Efforts will be made to develop Sariska in a way similar to Bharatpur’s Keoladeo Park (Ghana Bird Sanctuary) which is famous for its birds. Sariska has several lakes and the climate here is favorable for birds.
Sariska’s Deputy Forest Conservator, Abhimanyu Sadharan, stated recently that birds from many countries migrate to Sariska because Sariska has numerous wetlands, including Karna Ka Bas, Mangalsar, Mansarovar Dam, and Siliserh. Kankabari Fort is a major water source, where many migratory birds have been observed. Birds from Western Europe, Central Asia, and Siberia visit Sariska.
He added that Siliserh has been declared a Ramsar wetland by Union Environment and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav. “Our efforts will be to include several water sources in Sariska as Ramsar wetlands in the future, creating a protected area for birds, attracting migratory birds, and providing them with a well-protected habitat,” Abhimanyu Sadharan, said.
The key point is that this can also become a breeding ground, as migratory birds breed there when they arrive. If suitable natural habitat is found here for birds, then definitely, just like tiger-centric tourism, bird-centric tourism will develop here, which will prove to be very beneficial for the development of Sariska in the future.
