Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced that the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary will have four artificial waterfalls and ten floating fountains by the end of October. Vinai inspected the trial of the upcoming attractions on Sunday and directed the authorities to develop safe viewpoints for tourists in Neeli Jheel. This will be done in order to provide a better aerial view of the waterfalls. Vinai also announced that this move was taken to boost eco-tourism in the state.
Asola Bhatti To Boost Eco-Tourism In Delhi
The Territorial Army along with the forest department will create artificial waterfalls and floating fountains in the sanctuary. These waterfalls and fountains will be developed in Neeli Jheel which is the heart of the sanctuary. Thirty-five years ago, the government put an end to all mining operations in the area, for the purpose of creating lakes in deep excavated pits. Neeli Jheel was also a creation of that development and is now the largest of them.
Vinai said that he was keen on the development as these isolated mines could be a great tourist attraction. Thus boosting eco-tourism in the state. Although the move may be in the right direction to boost tourism and bring advancement, it also received subsequent backlash.
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Backlash By Environmentalists
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Environmentalists and zoologists said that no such move could bring advancement to the environment. Such interference in nature will only disturb the flora and fauna. Some environmentalists said that it’s a basic principle that no such inventions should be made in environmental zones.
While others said the government is responsible and it is important that the wild should be kept wild. Thus, anything detrimental should be avoided. A retired Indian Forest Service Officer said that the lake is a major source of drinking water for the wildlife in the sanctuary. An intervention in environmental spaces to develop tourism is definite to disturb wildlife.
However, it is unknown if the National Board of Wildlife has granted permission to start the construction of artificial waterbodies in Neeli Jheel or not.
News source: Hindustan Times/ The Hindu/ The Pioneer
Cover image courtesy: Official website/ Delhi Tourism