Gharana Wetland near the International Border (IB) in RS Pura area of Jammu region is fast becoming the most preferred tourist destination in Jammu region. The wetland attracts visitors in large numbers especially in winter season while the Tourism Department has been working relentlessly to promote this Wetland.
Thousands of birds from the Northern Hemisphere migrate to Gharana Wetland of Jammu during the winter season every year. Recently, Gharana Wetland was facing a threat due to varied reasons with the result the number of migratory birds visiting here was on a continuous decline.
The decline in migratory birds coming to Gharana Wetland also resulted in disenchantment among the people while there was a halt in the visitors visiting this Wetland.
However, due to consistent efforts by both Wildlife and the Tourism Department, the Gharana Wetland is now fast emerging as one of the most preferred tourist destinations not only in Jammu but in the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Gharana Wetland has been added as a tourist attraction in Jammu region by the Tourism Department in the list of major tourist spots,” Rajesh Raina, a senior officer of the Department, informed Rising Kashmir. “ Preparations are underway to develop the site into a bird sanctuary, complete with all facilities and services for visitors”, he added.
The Gharana Wetland is located at a distance of around 40 kms from Jammu City. The wetland has turned into a haven for bird enthusiasts as over 68,000-bar-headed geese and various other species of birds from the northern hemisphere migrate to the Wetland every year, especially in winter season.
Sustained efforts are being made for the development of the Wetland to make it accessible to all.
The Tourism Department of J&K has also formulated different programmes for continuous promotion of Jammu’s Gharana Wetland to attract more and more tourists to this Wetland which is situated close to the International Border.
The Wetland is being promoted on different social media platforms, online advertisements, hoardings and by organizing different programmes at schools, different departments etc.
Gharana Wetland is home to approximately 65 species of resident as well as migratory birds.
Some of the birds that flock here include bar-headed geese, Gadwals, Northern Pintails, Northern shovelers, white-breasted ibis, Eurasian wigeon and some other attractive species of birds.
The officials revealed that with the development of Gharana Wetland as a tourist attraction, Gharana will have a proper approach road, visitor parking area, and chain-link fence while making sure that the natural habitat of the birds is not disturbed.
Last year, over 3,000 to 4,000 such birds arrived here from the northern hemisphere. Their number is expected to increase this year. Among other species, Siberian Cranes are one of the major attractions of bird species for visitors coming to Gharana Wetland.
The number of tourists visiting Gharana Wetland has gone up significantly in the last around eight to nine months due to continuous efforts of Tourism and the Wildlife Department.
Schools across Jammu region also take the students to Gharana Wetland to make them aware about the beautiful species of the migratory birds.
Among the migratory birds flocking to Gharana Wetland, the majority is of the Bar-Headed Geese, which are a major attraction among the tourists as well as the locals. This year so far over 3,000 to 4,000 such birds have arrived here from the northern hemisphere. Their number is expected to increase this year, the officials said.
The locals of the Jammu City and living nearby the Wetland have also started visiting Gharana Wetland following its promotion and enhancement by the Tourism and the Wildlife Department as they have set on task of developing this spot.
The Gharana wetland has witnessed a rise in visitor footfall with efforts in place to protect the avian guests. Fencing and other necessary construction work are underway to protect migratory birds and their winter habitat, the officials said.
