Nal finds another anchor in Limbdi

Get set to see migratory birds in Nal Sarovar from a new place on the lake’s bank. In what is certainly very good news for bird lovers, a new tourist site at Nani Kathchi village in Limbdi taluka on the banks of the Nal is to be jointly developed by the state forest and tourism departments.

Upbeat after the successful makeover of the Nal Sarovar site in Sanand, the officials are now enthusiastic about developing the new site at Kathchi village. The site, which will cost around Rs1.5 crore to develop, will offer tourists boat rides in the wetland, an information and interpretation centre, small cottages for hire and other facilities. Kathchi village is 85 km from Ahmedabad and, from the entry point at Sanand, can be approached by road as well as by boat.

For years now, tourists have had to access the Nal wetland only through Vekariya village in Sanand. Amdavadis, who visit the Nal many times every year, will also welcome the development of the new site at Kathchi, as they will have a new place on the Nal that they can visit.

The Limbdi site will also be welcomed by visitors from Saurashtra who will find it easier to access the wetland via the new site. Inaugurating the new tourist facilities at Nal on Tuesday morning, forest and environment minister Mangubhai Patel said the government has “considered” the proposal to develop a new tourism site in Limbdi.