CM inaugurates bird festival in Kotdwar, unveils works worth Rs 326 crores
Garhwal Post Bureau
Kotdwar (Pauri), 31 Jan: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a Bird Watching Festival organised in Kotdwar today. On this occasion, he also announced a major boost to infrastructure by inaugurating and laying foundation stones for schemes worth over Rs 326 crores across various development blocks of Pauri district.
The CM, on this occasion, also interacted with specially-abled children and enquired about their education. Later he also visited the revered Siddhbali Temple, where he offered prayers for the peace, prosperity and happiness of the state. He later formally inaugurated the two-day Bird Watching Festival being organised in the Saneh region. At the venue of the festival, he was welcomed by District Magistrate Swati S Bhadauria, while students of Government Girls Inter College, Kotdwar, greeted the dignitaries with a welcome song in Garhwali. Children from Heritage School enthralled the audience with a presentation focused on bird and nature conservation.
During the programme, the CM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a total of 61 development schemes. These included the foundation laying of 21 schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 81.72 crores and inauguration of 40 schemes costing Rs 244.39 crores taking the total value of development works to Rs 326.12 crores. Dhami also inspected various stalls set up at the festival venue, where a photo exhibition on birds emerged as a major attraction. Praising the activities organised for bird identification and conservation, he said the stalls put up by women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to promote local products were highly commendable and played a key role in strengthening the rural economy
Sharing details of ongoing development works in the Kotdwar region, the CM said projects such as a bus terminal, an AYUSH hospital, the establishment of an STP to make the Khoh river pollution-free, construction of a bridge over the Malan river costing more than Rs 26 crores, and the Kotdwar–Najibabad four-lane road are currently in progress. Announcing additional projects, he said the damaged pipeline of the urban drinking water scheme in Haldukhata, affected by mining activities, would be strengthened, while two classrooms, a library, a science room, a computer room and a boundary wall would be constructed at Government Inter College, Kotdwar. Flood protection works would be undertaken in Jitpur village located on the right bank of the Khoh river, 108 ambulance service facility would also be provided at the Primary Health Centre, Jhandichaur, and a boundary wall would also be constructed at Government Postgraduate College, Kotdwar.
Emphasising the importance of conservation, Dhami said several bird species are on the verge of extinction, making their protection extremely essential. He expressed confidence that the Bird Watching Festival would prove to be a milestone for the development of the Kotdwar region. He said Uttarakhand is one of the richest states in the country in terms of biodiversity, with nearly 71 per cent of its geographical area under forest cover, and is playing a leading role in environmental conservation. He noted that lakhs of migratory birds visit the state every year and that out of nearly 1,300 bird species found in the country, more than 400 rare and beautiful species are present in Uttarakhand.
Referring to the Surkhab or Ruddy Shelduck, Dhami noted that the rare bird with golden wings visits Uttarakhand during winter, giving rise to the popular saying, “Does one have wings of a Surkhab?” He underlined that birds play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, seed dispersal and strengthening ecosystems. With the support of the Government of India, wildlife safety in the state is being ensured and the Forest Department is being equipped with modern technology. He said the government is promoting drone piloting, eco-tourism and wildlife photography, while also encouraging educational tours for students, and special arrangements have been made at Kalagarh for the treatment of injured animals and birds.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and local MLA Ritu Khanduri Bhushan said that of the nearly 700 bird species found in Uttarakhand, about 400 are found in the Kotdwar region, reflecting its rich biodiversity. She described the Bird Watching Festival as a commendable initiative towards promoting eco-tourism and bird tourism and suggested that it be included in the state government’s annual calendar and observed every year on 31 January as Bird Festival Day. She said such an initiative would attract bird and nature enthusiasts from across the country and abroad, give Kotdwar a distinct identity on the tourism map, enhance public awareness about environmental protection and strengthen the local economy. Expressing gratitude for the development schemes announced for the region, she said these initiatives would provide fresh momentum to the overall development of the district.
DM Swati Bhadauria stated that the event was not merely a festival but a celebration of biodiversity, nature and sensitivity towards life. She described the Bird Watching Festival as a unique initiative that not only conveys the message of bird conservation but also opens new avenues in wildlife conservation and photography.
It was shared that more than 2,500 people participated on the first day of the two-day festival, including 300 students, 800 youth, 400 women, 100 bird watchers and over 900 other participants. Students taking part in marathon races, painting, quiz and essay competitions organised under the festival will be awarded prizes on the concluding day. The stage proceedings were conducted by Padmesh Budakoti. Among those present on the occasion were Lansdowne MLA Mahant Dilip Singh Rawat, Chairman of Uttarakhand Gau Seva Commission Rajendra Anthwal, Vice Chairman of the Irrigation Committee Rishi Kandwal, District Panchayat President Rachna Butola, Mayor of Municipal Corporation, Kotdwar, Shailendra Singh Rawat, SSP Sarvesh Panwar, CDO Girish Gunwant, DFO Lansdowne Jivan Mohan Dagade, Chairman of Mandi Samiti Suman Kotnala and Municipal Commissioner, Kotdwar, PL Shah.
