Monday, June 13 2005 12:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: Home to nearly one third of the bird population of the country, Gujarat is planning to improve and develop its wetlands in a big way to attract more migratory and resident birds.

The State has remarkable bio-diversity and therefore it provides a rich habitat for a fascinating variety of birds. Hence the department is planning to develop the wetlands in a big way, said additional principal chief coordinator of forests Pradeep Khanna.

The main wetlands that the department is planning to improve includes Nal Sarovar in Ahmedabad, Thol in Mehsana, Khijedia in Jamnagar, Namikholsar in Navsari, Wadwan in Baroda and Pariej in Kheda distsrict.

The developments of wetlands envisages improving the site, setting up observatory points, construction of interpretation centre and strengthening of embankments, he said.

The wetlands are the most crucial components of the international flyway of migratory birds. Apart from providing food and habitat to a variety of resident birds, the array of wetlands in the state provides intermittent habitats for the migratory birds in transition.

Gujarat has more than 1,000 wetlands of which nearly 440 are coastal and around 390 are inland, including several small and big reservoirs.

The State plays host to almost 498 species of birds against the total of 1,238 species in the country. Most of bird species are found in Saurashtra region.