Uttarakhand: Jhilmil deer reserve all set to turn into an eco-tourism destination

The forest department is gearing up to improve facilities at the Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve, which serves as the exclusive habitat of swamp deer in Uttarakhand, with the aim of promoting eco-tourism.

Swamp deer, categorized as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, holds exceptional importance in this marshy locale situated in the Haridwar district. Referring to this, Head of the Uttarakhand Forest Department Anup Malik added that their primary focus is to enhance the wetlands by nurturing the grasslands for the swamp deer. He further added that they are initiating day tours to permit visitors to enter the reserve in their vehicles upon payment of an entry fee, the income of which will be directed toward maintaining the reserve.
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To facilitate smooth visitor movement, authorities will make all efforts to improve the existing 35 km road network, and set up upgraded public restrooms and cafeterias.Jhilmil is renowned for its numerous seasonal and perennial swamps formed by river channels, and also serves as home to spotted deer, barasingha, elephants, cheetal, and leopards. If reports are to go by, the wetland has welcomed approximately 18,000 visitors in the last decade, and generated around INR 42 lakh for the state.

Spread across 37 sq km in Haridwar, Jhilmil wetland was among the first sites in India to receive conservation reserve status in 2005.

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For birdwatching enthusiasts, Jhilmil serves as a delightful discovery, holding a plethora of avian wonders for those willing to be patient. Additionally, the roads leading to this destination are in good condition.
A visit to Jhilmil Jheel can be easily clubbed with a trip to the nearby Rajaji National Park or Haridwar. The central wetland area comprises an oxbow lake, encircled by a multitude of seasonal and perennial swamps resulting from the gradual shifting of river channels. The terrain of this region showcases a diverse blend of both short and tall grasslands, as well as tropical mixed moist deciduous forests, and secondary scrub, forming a captivating mosaic of landscapes.