French Delegation Visits Badi Talab for Environmental Awareness

Udaipur, 10th April A sixteen-member French delegation, currently on a tour of the district, visited Badi Talab on Thursday to observe the environmental and wildlife conservation initiatives undertaken by the Green People Committee. Their primary focus was on the efforts being made to conserve the Mahseer fish in the Badi Talab.

Rahil Bhatnagar, President of the Green People Committee, explained the importance of community involvement in the conservation of Mahseer fish and wildlife management. He emphasized the role of local participation in these conservation efforts.

On this occasion, the Chief Wildlife Warden of Udaipur provided the guests with an overview of the wildlife conservation initiatives being undertaken in the region. He discussed the management and preservation activities at EcoTone Park, Sajjangarh Sanctuary, and Badi Talab Pal Udyan.

Dr. Satish Sharma, associated with the Green People Committee, also highlighted the joint efforts of the Forest Department and the Green People Committee in Mahseer conservation, and the community-driven activities like distributing oxygen meters during the pandemic, livestock farming activities, and providing rural communities with agricultural development materials and technical knowledge. He also explained that Badi Talab is the only lake in the area with clean water, which remains free of pollution.

Suhail Mazboor shared information about the activities carried out in the surrounding forest areas, including eco-tourism, bird-watching, and eco-trails, which have been conducted over the past 15 years by Green People Committee, WWF, and the Forest Department in collaboration with students and nature enthusiasts.

Ismail Ali provided valuable insights into the Mahseer fish and other species in the lake, explaining the fish’s breeding cycle, from the egg-laying process to the fish returning to the lake after the rains.

Earlier, two other French delegations had visited the Green People Committee’s initiatives at the Menar Reservoir, where they observed the activities of migratory and non-migratory birds and were deeply impressed by the efforts.

Sumita Saroch, Additional Director of the Tourism Department, also informed the French delegation about tourism-related developments in the Udaipur division. The delegation had discussions with local villagers about their social and cultural heritage, praised their conservation efforts, and expressed admiration for their dedication to protecting these natural resources.