Natural retreat? Head to Soor Sarovar
AGRA: Soor Sarovar bird sanctuary around Keetham lake area in Agra is one of the biggest planned oasis in the state.
With lake around, the wetland is also a protected area and a tourist attraction.
“With the fast deteriorating life support system in the city due to rapid urbanization and human activities, the Soor Sarovar bird sanctuary stands out as a place for natural retreat with abundant beauty, bounty, serenity and peace,” said professor Sant Prakash, head, department of Zoology, Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI).
Prakash is also member of IUCN Species Survival Commission, a science-based network of more than 9,000 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world, all working together towards achieving the vision of, “A just world that values and conserves nature through positive action to reduce the loss of diversity of life on earth”.
The group provides technical support to the forest department for biodiversity management and wildlife education.
The sanctuary is maintained by the Uttar Pradesh forest department.
“Since winter is round the corner and water level has gone low, unlike what the state was during the monsoons recently, we see a variety of migratory birds approaching the premises of the sanctuary,” said Anand Kumar, divisional forest officer (DFO).
“As winter approaches further birds from around the world can be spotted at the sanctuary like pelicans, flamingos, geese, pink tales, stalks, cormorants, egrets and many more. A huge heronry of colonial nesting can be seen every year around Keetham Lake,” said the DFO.
“The sanctuary has been declared an eco-sensitive zone and currently the zone expands 1 km from the boundary of the sanctuary, providing a buffer for the protection of the forest as well as of the birds,” he added.
“Further work is being taken forward to declare the sanctuary as a ‘Ramsar Site’ as well, which will provide worldwide recognition to Keetham and enhance eco-tourism,” claimed the forest department.
A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. “NGOs like SPHEEHA and Jaladhikaar Foundation are also making efforts for forest conservation along with the forest department,” said Prakash.
“Students from different schools should be urged to visit such places and curriculums should also include excursions to places like Soor Sarovar,” he added.