Governor Shri Bandaru Dattatraya watching birds at Sultanpur National Park, Gurugram

Chandigarh, February 19, 2022: Haryana Governor Shri Bandaru Dattatraya on Saturday said the state government is developing natural forestry and greenery in a balanced manner, and the budget provision of Rs 770 crore has been made for this purpose.

The Governor was expressing his views while visiting Sultanpur National Park in Gurugram district on Saturday. He also planted saplings in Sultanpur National Park and visited Sultanpur Wetland declared as a Ramsar site. He also did bird watching and got information about different species of birds.

Shri Dattatraya visited the Interpretation Centre built in the park premises, in which detailed information was given about routes and food habits of birds. He said that school and college students should be encouraged to visit this wetland so that they get information about animals and birds and they should have a feeling of love towards them.

The Governor was informed that about 50,000 birds of more than 100 species from different countries of the world visit the Sultanpur National Park every year. He said there is a need to plant trees and saplings and increase the forest area in every village of the state. For this, new initiatives should be taken.

The Governor said that the general public should be motivated to plant more and more trees for the protection of the environment. The feeling that it is our religion to protect animals and birds should be created among the people. He said human beings, animals and birds are interdependent. So we should treat and love them the way we treat ourselves.

The Governor was impressed by the natural beauty of the National Park. He also praised the forest workers for the conservation of wildlife. He said animals and birds have an important role in maintaining the natural balance of the earth.

The Governor while highlighting the importance of wetlands said that wherever the wetlands are, they are the shelter for many fauna and flora. These are very important for human life and also for water conservation. Wetlands are a rare asset, which we must preserve. It is our collective and moral responsibility to protect them.

Shri Dattatraya said that keeping in mind the importance of water sources and wetlands, the state government has formed a Pond and Waste Water Management Authority. Renovation work of about 4500 ponds will be done through this authority during the current and the coming year.

Governor Shri Dattatraya also paid homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji by offering flowers to his portrait on the occasion of his birth anniversary at Sultanpur National Park complex. He also shared experience of visiting the park in the visitor’s book. Local people present on the occasion wore turbans as a mark of respect to Governor Shri Dattatraya.

On this occasion Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shri Mahendra Singh Malik, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) Shri Rajendra Singh Dangi, General Manager of Forest Development Corporation Shri Pradeep Gulia, DCP, Manesar, Shri Manbir Singh, Chief Protocol Officer Shri Vatsal Vashisht, Pataudi SDM Shri Pradeep Kumar, Naib Tehsildar Shri Ran Singh Godra, Forest Inspector Shri RK Chahal and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.