Vijayapura: Government has given the nod to establish a sanctuary at Chikkasangama in Bagalkot district at the Almati backwaters.
The dream of bird lovers and ornithologists is getting realized as the Minister for Forests and Kannada and Culture Aravind Limbavali has given approval for the project.
“It had been the long-standing demand of the wild-life conservationists of developing a bird sanctuary in the backwaters of Almatti Dam, which has now been fulfilled,” said the minister. The proposal was aaproved by the government in December itself and assured that necessary funds will be provided to develop the world class bird sanctuary in coming days.
The backwaters of Almatti dam are visited by 200 different species of migratory birds arrive here from Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Australian countries, annually in different seasons. River Tern, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Pintail duck, Bar-headed Geese, Asian Openbill, Black-winged Stilt, Red Wattled Lapwing and many different species of birds have been identified in this region.
Prashanth Shankinamath, Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) said that the state government has given only approved for the project and it is yet to be passed in the cabinet. “After the issue of gazette notification only will it be considered as official approval. We are already on the job preparing the draft for the notification. The project is likely to be done jointly by the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigama Limited and Forest Department,” said DCF Shankinamath.
M R Desai, senior wild-life warden, said “a group of experts and scientists have recently visited the proposed area for bird sanctuary and have conducted the survey of migratory birds.” Almatti backwaters have a unique ecosystem stretching more than 70kms along the Krishna River. It is the ideal place to establish the bird sanctuary and helps to conserve the birds and other wildlife of the region, he said.
