Delhi govt to soon open forests for sightseeing; measures in full swing
NEW DELHI: In a move that is expected to be a treat for nature lovers, the Department of Wildlife and Forest, Delhi government is planning to open the city forests for tourists.
The forests that are slated to be opened for sightseeing are namely Mitraon, Nasirpur, Sultanpur Dabbas and Garhi Mandu.
Even as some parts of the city forests are already opened for tourists, there are plans to further open the vast areas of forests in Delhi.
Of the 840 acres of total forest area of Garhi Mandu, the plan is to open about 150 acre for the public. As of now, two tracks of the forested area is open for public.
It is also planned that the complete 90 acre of the forest area of Mitraon will be made accessible for public. Presently, about two-and-a-half acre of the forest area has been made accessible for public.
To make the city forests viable tourist spots in the future, the Department of Wildlife and Forests will be carrying out various measures.
Among some prominent measures, planting medicinal plants, setting up eco nests, open gyms and yoga centres are a few.
Large areas have also been designated for creation of waterbodies in the forested areas.
This is being done with an objective to not only improve the soil moisture content but also retain the population of migratory birds to the forested areas.
In the Garhi Mandu forested area, two water bodies of areas 25,000 square metre and 70,000 square metre is being planned.
According to plans, by December 2017 the forested areas in the city will be opened for tourists.
“The Department of Wildlife and Forest Conservation plans to open large areas of city forest for public. Preparations have already been started and some areas have already been opened for public. Delhi has a large forested area and we feel that it must be utilised in an optimum manner. At the same time, our challenge will be to maintain the biodiversity of the area,” mentioned a senior official from the Department of Wildlife and Forest conservation.