The Kapurthala administration has announced a major eco-tourism initiative for the Kanjli Wetland, with a sanctioned budget of ₹19.56 crore under the central government's Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme. Deputy Commissioner Akash Bansal confirmed the project's approval, emphasizing sustainable tourism and environmental conservation as key objectives.
Project Details and Objectives
The project aims to transform Kanjli Wetland into a premier eco-tourism destination without compromising its ecological significance. Spread across 183 acres, Kanjli is the only Ramsar site in the Doaba region. The proposed development includes modern access and parking facilities, traffic management systems, digital ticketing, an interpretation centre, landscaping, internal roads, drainage infrastructure, signage, public amenities, souvenir shops, food and beverage outlets, residential units, experiential tourism activities, upgraded power infrastructure, and CCTV-based security systems.
Deputy Commissioner Bansal stated that the initiative would strengthen tourism infrastructure and create new employment opportunities for locals through eco-tourism-related activities. A helpline (01822-233777) has also been launched for residents to register complaints or seek assistance.
Environmental Concerns
Despite the government's optimism, environmentalists have raised concerns about the approach. Kanjli Wetland, once known for attracting thousands of migratory birds and supporting rich aquatic life, has witnessed a steady decline in recent years. Residents attribute this drop to pollution in nearby drains and interference along the Bein and wetland banks, which has adversely impacted local biodiversity.
Gurmukh Singh, a biodiversity enthusiast, linked the decline in migratory birds to the loss of native reed and grass ecosystems and pollution during festive activities. "Wetland biodiversity must recover first to sustain tourism. More structures may harm rather than help," he warned. Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (Retd), state convener of INTACH, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that Kanjli's revival must be guided by scientific and eco-friendly measures, including removal of invasive weeds and restoration of native biodiversity.
Previous Revamp Attempts
Kanjli has undergone several revamp attempts in the past with limited success. In 2020, the district administration under then DC Deepti Uppal proposed a café, restaurant, a 3-km walkway, and boating facilities. In 2021, ₹5 crore was earmarked for the project. While a ticket counter, a bamboo restaurant, and several temporary structures were later set up, they now lie in disuse. An exercise to remove water hyacinth from the wetland was also undertaken in 2022 under environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal.
The latest project under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 aims to address these shortcomings, but environmentalists remain cautious, urging that ecological restoration precede infrastructure development.
