Harike Pattan (Tarn Taran), June 18, 2018: Announcing a world class Eco-friendly project for Harike bird sanctuary, Punjab Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said that Harike will become a state of art tourist destination and anything upto Rs. 50 crores will be spent on this project.
Terming Harike Pattan a place with top potential, Sidhu said Bharatpur sanctuary gets sixteen thousand birds and is highly rated whereas this place gets around one Lakh rare species but still the potential of this place is unlocked.
Sidhu who was on a four day tour to various tourist destinations of Punjab, reached the Harike Pattan on Monday along with top brass of the tourism department and local officials.
He took a boat ride in the river along with MLAs Kulbir Zira and Harminder Gill. "The state government was committed to turn this place into a world class tourist destination. It has tremendous potential but wasn't unlocked till now," he said.
Detailing on the project that is being worked on for Harike, Sidhu said," This place is among the tourism circuit. In this river there is a point where three Rivers meet and Majha, Malwa and Doaba meet. We can't have such wetland anywhere else with such rare credentials."
"We will have motorboats, angling, rafting, para sailing and viewing Indus water dolphins on one side whereas on the other side we will have tented accommodations, tree houses, pedal boats, nature trail and bird watching towers," added Sidhu.
Meanwhile, on the Rajasthan feeder, the tourism department will set up a floating restaurant.
The project will also have Shikaras on the lines of Kashmir's Dal Lake where people can even stay, added he.
Announcing that funds will be no dearth for this project and even money to the tune of Rs. 50 crores can be spent on this, the Punjab Minister said that motorboats will only be operational when their are no birds. Ensuring a peaceful environment for the migratory birds will be a top priority, he added.
He asked the officials of the department to start working on the project so that it could be completed soon.
Eminent consultants including Knight Frank were also roped in to guide and best of things will be created at Harike.
Photography competitions will be held at Harike to further showcase the attraction of this place, said the minister.