Bhopal:Monday, June 15 :After the state capital Bhopal, now Guna will also have a bird watching centre. The Guna district administration is undertaking development of the centre at Gopikrishna Sagar there.
Arrangements have been made to identify and enlist Indian as well as migratory birds visiting Gopikrishna Sagar and provide information about them to bird watchers and tourists. The dam site is also being developed in all respects to facilitate tourists.
Gopikrishna Sagar dam is situated 15 kilometres from the district headquarters on Agra-Mumbai Road. It has been built across Chaupan river just two kilometres from the national highway. The dam’s storage area is 294 square kilometres which is full of water round the year. Several works have been undertaken to develop it as a tourist destination which have added to its scenic beauty. Besides, various tourist attractions and facilities have also been developed including boating, cafeteria, a beautiful pathway long the dam shore, a watchtower to having a bird’s eye view of the reservoir, garden with swings and slides for children.
The rest house, which already existed there, has also been renovated to equip it with more facilities. A temple that had been constructed simultaneously with the dam is held in great reverence by the local people and visitors. Therefore, it is also being developed anew. Migratory birds have been visiting this reservoir since long. Now a data of Indian as well as migratory birds visiting the reservoir is being compiled for the benefit of bird watchers and tourists. The two-kilometre approach road from the national highway up to the dam is being asphalted.
Experts have identified 21 rare bird species that visit the reservoir.