State’s first crocodile trail comes up in US Nagar

HALDWANI: The state’s first crocodile trail and longest jungle safari has come up in US Nagar district.

The forest department has set up 40 km long Surai Jungle Safari in chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s constituency in Khatima.

Sandeep Kumar, divisional forest officer of Tarai East, said, “Dhami had announced creation of eco-tourism zone at Khatima. The CM believed that the border area is untouched by eco-tourism, whereas in Nainital district, there are enough eco-tourism activities in the forests”.

“As announced by the CM, we set up Surai Jungle Safari and Kakra Crocodile Trail in Surai Forest range in Khatima,

Udham Singh Nagar district. Nine gypsy vehicles have been registered in this safari. Along with this, training has been given to 29 nature guides. Among them, six are women” he said.

According to forest officials, the 40km Surai Jungle Safari will pass through the forests adjacent to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve near Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh border.

“Kakra crocodile trail is first such trail in the Uttarakhand. We want people to have a glimpse of the crocodiles in their natural habitat in the Terai area”, he said

The DFO further said, “This jungle safari will be ecofriendly. Interpretation centre and guest houses are also being built. The canteens of these guest houses will be operated by local women so that community participation increases and they get employment.”

In Uttarakhand, crocodiles are found in the Corbett landscape, Terai area, some areas of Haridwar forest division and Rajaji National Park landscape.

According to the wildlife census released by the state forest department in June last year, crocodile numbers have increased in the state from 123 in 2008 to 451 in 2020.