This story is from September 18, 2021

Lucknow to get another eco-tourism spot

Acknowledging the potential of the wetland just behind the Atal Bihari Vajpayee International (Ekana) Stadium, the state forest department and Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) have agreed to develop it into an eco-forest.
Lucknow to get another eco-tourism spot
TOI was the first one to write about the treasure and beauty of Ekana Wetland, spread across nearly 37 acres, on February 28, 2020. (File Photo)
LUCKNOW: Acknowledging the potential of the wetland just behind the Atal Bihari Vajpayee International (Ekana) Stadium, the state forest department and Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) have agreed to develop it into an eco-forest.
In an in-principle bi-partite agreement between DFO Ravi Kumar Singh and LDA VC Akshay Tripathi on Thursday, the two bodies decided to name it as Chak Ganjaria Wet Land.

Both the bodies also agreed to begin their work with water regulation and mutation of the place. Sources said that the official notification is expected sometime next week.
Spread across nearly 37 acres (nearly 4km), the wetland is inhabited by over 100 species of indigenous and migratory birds, including some listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, according to naturalists and bird enthusiasts.
Besides the regular presence of ducks, bee-eaters, kingfishers, sparrows, parakeets and jacanas, deer, golden jackal, monitor lizards, water snakes and butterflies, some extremely rare and shy migratory birds also make this place their home every winter.
Worried that the oasis barely a few kilometres from Hazratganj may lose to rapid urbanisation in the area, the eco-warriors urged chief minister Yogi Adityanath to save the place.

TOI was the first one to write about the treasure and beauty of Ekana Wetland on February 28, 2020. Taking a note of the matter, the office of the CM asked authorities concerned to undertake efforts to save the place.
Secretary to CM, also a wildlife enthusiast, Alok Kumar took keen interest in pushing for the cause.
“The growing importance of urban forestry is what drove the CM to give a thought to the request made by the naturalists’ group. In the years to come, the place will give a new identity to the character of Lucknow,” said Kumar.
“Mission Ekana wetland looks forward to a bright future now,” said wildlife enthusiast Vivek Awasthi, reminding that India has recently supported the Convention on Migratory Birds (CMS), the only UN treaty that addresses the issue of migratory birds and their habitats.
A regular visitor, Ratindra Pandey, said: “This is a win-win deal for all. The city will get an oasis, residents will get a new destination to hang out, the government gets to add a new eco-tourism spot without having to invest much and we get the happiness of being able to save a piece of nature.”
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About the Author
Shailvee Sharda

Journalist with the Times of India since August 2004, Shailvee Sharda writes on Health, Culture and Politics. Having covered the length and breadth of UP, she brings stories that define elements like human survival and its struggle, faiths, perceptions and thought processes that govern the decision making in everyday life, during big events such as an election, tangible and non-tangible cultural legacy and the cost and economics of well-being. She keenly follows stories that celebrate hope and life in general.

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