Remodeling Paradise Eco Tourism plan of Thol Bird Sanctuary, Mehsana district By DAC & I-CON I -CON JV (Surat, Ahmedabad & Delhi)
STUDY OF THOL SANCTUARY
Introduction to Thol Lake
Thol lake – the untouched and unexplored paradise lies about 35 kilometres away from Ahmedabad city and it falls under the Mehsana District. This huge bird sanctuary covers about 7 square kilometres of area. It came into existence to serve as irrigation tank in 1912 when the Maharajas of Baroda ruled parts of this district. Surrounding agricultural fields are irrigated by connecting water canals. Currently, when the water in the lake recedes, the make up water is fed by the Narmada canal passing near the lake. The sanctuary is covered with lush green tree cover in certain patches, small marshes at the edges, and some scrub forest on the side of the high embankments. The lake in the center of the sanctuary is the main attraction and its advantageous because it is very large but the water is not too deep, which allows the birds to be closely observed. Thor is an excellent spot for avid bird watchers because it houses a great diversity of birds such as the Great White Pelicans, Flamingos, variety of waterfowl including Mallards, Greylag geese, Sarus as well as flycatchers are prominently found in the sanctuary from October end till January end. The southern side of lake is lined with a kuccha path which runs parallel to the edge of the lake where vehicles are allowed to enter inside. It also has a higher bund on the same edge which is solely a walkway over-looking the expanse of the waterscape.
Location & Access
Towards
1.6 km from the main road
Sanand
Towards Ahmedabad
Located about 35 kilometres from Ahmedabad is thol lake. A thin kaccha road winds from the main road to take one into the bird sanctuary. The entire area is about 7 square kilometres and is enveloped by agro fields and small villages like Thor, Bhimasan and Jetlaj.
1 - Entrance to the site 2 - Existing huge green covers 3 - Part of lake which is 7-8 feet deep 4 - Seasonal marshy lands 5 - ONGC wells wells 6 - Agro lands surrounding the lake
Potential Biodiversity – Ecosystem Ecosystem
The Thol Eco system and its Life Supporting Characteristics Sunlight, water, earth Aquatic plants Micro organisms feeding on aquatic plants Fishes feeding on micro organisms Birds feeding on aquatic plants, micro organisms, and fishes
Thol has a large population of resident birds such as cormorants, egrets, heron, ibis, kingfisher, spoonbill and such. As the winter sets in migratory birds in large quantities come by from far off regions. Since the lake is shallow in some portions, a large number of wading birds that fish in shallow water are also found here. Animals like the Blue Bull, Black Buck, Deer, White deer & Albino Black Buck sometime sometime are seen here.
Commonly observed Bird Species at Thol WaterFowls & Water Birds :: Spot-billed Duck Comb Duck Lesser Whistling Duck Common Coot Cotton Pygmy Goose Little Grebe Ruddy Shelduck Garganey Gadwall Greylag Goose Bar-headed Goose Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Common Pochard Tufted Pochard Ferruginous Pochard Eurasian Wigeon Common Teal Mallard Pheasant-tailed jacana White-breasted Waterhen Purple Swamp hen Common Moorhen Oriental Darter Indian Shaag Great Cormorant Little Cormorant Eurasian Spoonbill Oriental White Ibis Glossy Ibis Black Ibis Little Egret Great Egret Intermediate Egret Little Green Egret Cattle Egret Pond Heron Black-crown Night Heron Grey Heron
Storks ::
Cranes ::
Waders ::
Terns ::
Gulls ::
Woodland Birds ::
Painted Stork Woolly-necked Stork Asian Openbill White Stork
Common Crane Sarus Crane Demoiselle Crane
Common Sandpiper Marsh Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Green Sandpiper Little Stint Temminck's Stint Kentish Plover Little Ringed Plover Greater Sandplover Common Greenshank Spotted Redshank Common Redshank Curlew Sandpiper Dunlin Ruff Black-tailed Godwit Eurasian Curlew Pied Avocet
River Tern Whiskered Tern Gull-billed Tern Little Tern
Brown-headed Gull Black-headed Gull Heuglin's Gull
Booted Warbler Blyth's Reed Warbler Oriental ReedWarbler Clamorous ReedWarbler Common Chiffchaff Plain Leaf-Warbler Sulphur-bellied Warbler Lesser Whitethroat Orphean Warbler
Pied Cuckoo Common-hawk Cuckoo Eurasian Cuckoo
Flycatchers :: Red-breasted Flycatcher White-browed Fantail Spotted Flycatcher Asian Paradise Flycatcher Black-naped Monarch Asian Brown Flycatcher Tickell's Blue flycatcher Black Redstart Paddyfield Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Richard's Pipit Tree Pipit Yellow Wagtail White Wagtail Grey Wagtail Citrine Wagtail Black-winged Stilt Yellow-wattled Lapwing White-tailed Lapwing Red-wattled Lapwing Sociable Lapwing Small Minivet Indian Robin Magpie Robin Common Stonechat Brown Rock Chat Isabelline Wheatear Pied Bushchat Bluethroat Oriental White-eye Common Rosefinch Scaly-breasted Munia Red Avadavat Indian Silverbill Black-headed Munia Baya Weaver Black-breasted Weaver House Sparrow Chestnut Shouldered Petronia Eurasian Golden Oriole Jungle Babbler Large Grey Babbler Common Babbler
Observed Habitat types Deep open water habitat: with depth of water more than 3 feet without any emergent aquatic vegetation. This kind of habitat supports sub mergent vegetation and attracts diving birds as well as Pelicans.
Emergent aquatic vegetation: with variable depths of water and dense growth of aquatic vegetation. This type of habitat is suitable for herons, egrets etc.
Shallow open water habitat: with depth of water less than 2 to 3 feet without any emergent aquatic vegetation. vegetation. This kind of habitat attracts surface surface feeding birds as well as Flamingoes, Spoonbill and some herons.
Muddy habitat: formed in shallow zone of the lake after water recedes in the area. The soil remains wet and muddy with small puddles in patches. This kind of habitat is mainly used by waders.
Island habitat: areas on the lake periphery which remain above water for most of the year. The vegetation is dominated by grasses, herbs and sparse scrubs like Prosopis. This kind of habitat is suitable for migratory cranes.
Woodland habitat: areas with woody vegetation surrounding the lake. Such areas are breeding/ nesting grounds for many resident species like herons, egrets etc. Moreover, trees are useful as perching, roosting and resting sites for many species.
Swamps and wastelands in surrounding areas: such areas are submerged during rains characterised by grasslands and scanty to dense patches of scrubby vegetation. This kind of habitat is suitable for cranes, storks and other terrestrial birds.
Issues found on site
1.
Un-defined ed edges
2.
Lack Lack of publ public ic faci facili liti ties es
3.
No viewi viewing ng poin point/ t/ sitsit-ou outt spac spaces es
4.
Unchecked access all around the site
5.
Plastic po pollution - this poses a huge threat to the top soil, water, aquatic animals and its ecology.
Issues found on site
1.
Untapped gro growt wth h of of g a n d o b a v a l – prosopis julifora, a species that degrades the land and soil.
2.
Vehicular nui nuisance - currently the vehicles are allowed all around the lake disrupting the silence essential for the bird ecosystem.
3.
Signage system
Issues found on site
1.
Slo Slope stab stabil iliz izat atio ion n required along the embankment. Transition points are ill planned currently.
2.
Str Street furniture like sit outs, dustbins, signages are missing.
Summarizing Issues The specific ecosystem that has evolved here is capable of providing the varied habitats required for the large variety of resident and migrant birds. However, However, the life support system is under threat from external biotic pressures, especially those caused by human intervention. A few of the glaring issues found are:
1.
Land pollution (plastic bags, bottles being dumped on peripheries)
2.
Unplanned construction on the fringes
3.
Lack of maintenance and repair
4.
No signage and public facilities
5.
fo r a (gando baval) Uncon ncontr trol olle led d gro grow wth of of p r o s o p i s j u l i fo
6.
Unchecked Cattle grazing causes growth of prosopis of prosopis julifora
7.
Veh ehic icul ular ar an anno noy yan ance ce on the peripheral roads
8.
Surrounding agricultural activities may lead to e u t r o p h i c a t i o n (contamination of water by pesticides/fertilisers)
9.
Lack of public awareness and decorum
10. No defi define ned d boundary and deteriorated edges
CASE STUDIES & LEARNINGS
Case Study: Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Ahmedabad
Nal sarovar- and the wetlands around it were declared a bird sanctuary in 1969. Spread over 120 sq. kms., the lake and the extensive reed beds and marshes are an ideal habitat for the aquatic plants and animals. The lake attracts a large variety of birds like plovers, sandpipers, stints, pelicans, flamingoes, ducks, demoiselle cranes and common cranes. Activities planned at Nal Sarovar 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 12. 13. 13.
Tented fac facility Sun-set Tradi raditi tion onal al loca locall danc dance e Tradi raditi tion ona al dinn dinner er Film Film show show on envi enviro ronm nmen entt Camp-fire Star ga gazing Night-stay Sun-rise Guided Guided boat boat-ri -ride de with with binoc binocula ulars rs Bird-watchin Bird-watching, g, visit visit to interpr interpretatio etation n centre centre Morn Mornin ing g tea tea Snak Snakee-sh sho ow
Local people are employed in these activities
Case Study: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) is one of the finest man made natural reserve in the world that offers protection to faunal species as well. Nesting indigenous water-birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.
Activities planned at Bharatpur Bird Bird Sanctuary 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Organi Organized zed tour tour pack package ages s by by Raja Rajasth sthan an Wildlif Wildlife, e, Desi Design gnat ated ed on foot foot fores forestt trai trails ls,, Cycl Cycle e ricks ricksha haw w trail trails s by trai traine ned d loca locale les, s, Tradi raditi tio onal nal meal meals, s, Night-stay, Sun-rise, Guided bo boat-r t-ride, Bird-w Bird-watc atchin hing, g, visit visit to to inter interpre pretat tation ion centre centre,, Visi Visitt to Sar Saris iska ka Nat Natio iona nall Par Park k
Local people are employed in these activities
Case Study: Hongkong Wetlands
Hong Kong Wetland Park is a conservation, education and tourism spot, located at the northern part of Tin Shui Wai, in Yuen Long.
It comprises of a large information/ visitor centre, Wetland Interactive World, and a 60-hectare (150acre) of Wetland Reserve. The Wetland Interactive World has themed exhibition galleries, a theatre, a souvenir shop, an indoor swamp adventure area and a resource centre.
Key Learnings 1. Birds are sensiti sensitive ve to noise and movemen movement, t, therefore, human interface with nature should be regulated 2. Generate Generate economi economic c activity activity for the locale locales, s, thereby, involving the local community to become custodians or guardians of the property 3. Unlike Nalsarovar Nalsarovar or Bharatpur, Thol lake is relatively relatively of a smaller smaller scale, scale, therefore, activities like group boating should be discouraged, instead other sensitive attractions should be created 4. Generate awareness through educative campaigns at schools & nature forums to cause tourist interest 5. Develop public utilities, utilities, interpretation interpretation and and information information center, center, curio etc. of world class nature to attract national & international tourists, 6. Develop Develop guided guided and timed trails trails for the the bird lovers lovers,, 7. Regulate guidelines guidelines for any kind of of construction activity/ activity/ high tension lines in the the surrounding buffer buffer zone to maintain the eco system of the place.
PROPOSAL
THE CONCEPT The urban stress in the city has greatly increased over the last few years. Thol lake is one of the few ecological reserves near the city. city. It is imperative to save and promote this environmentally significant place that harbours a rich bio diversity. The idea is to develop eco tourism with a sensitive approach to planning that will conserve, preserve, protect and enhance the macro environment. The proposal will provide sustainable design solutions to significantly improve its micro environment and the existing flora and fauna. The effort is to introduce activities and spaces which do not sacrifice the environment or natural agricultural practices in the name of tourism. But instead, involve these components to create a sustainable project & livelihood.
Concept of Eco-Tourism
ENVIRONMENT
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1.
Iden Identi tifi fica cati tion on of pro proje ject cts s to enhance the natural experience of the Bird Sanctuary
2.
Bird Bird Muse Museum um// Obs Obser erva vato tory ry or any other information system
3.
Paid Paid for for loca locall trav travel el syst system em like horse carts or cycle rickshaws
4.
Expe Experi rien enti tial al natu nature re trai trails ls
5.
Regul egulat ated ed bir bird tra trail ils s
Stud Study y of flo flora & faun fauna a Bir Bird Mig Migra rati tion on Patt Patter ern n Unde Unders rsta tand ndin ing g the the Eco Ecosy syst stem em Addr Addres ess s Envir Environ onme ment ntal al Thre Threat ats s Wate Waters rshe hed d Anal Analys ysis is of the the Catchment 6. Cons Constr truc ucti tion on acti activi vity ty in in the the buff buffer er zone 7. Impa Impact ct of dis disch char arge ges s in in the the sub sub-basin 8. Carr Carry ying ing capa capaci city ty of the the sanctuary 9. Meas Measur ures es to Pres Preser erve ve,, Cons Conser erve ve 10. 10. & Prote Protect ct the the Envir Environ onme ment nt
Responsible Travel to Natural Areas
That Conserves the environment
And improves the well being of local people SOCIAL BENEFITS
Identification of the various actors to involve in Community Based Tourism Awareness program/ campaign regarding the natural heritage Training programs for the locales to manage the tourism Conservation measures to save the existing habitat, nesting and feedings grounds grounds of the birds &
Broad Zoning & Approach
To preserve the Bird life support system, it is imperative that the sanctuary is not accessed throughout its all edges. Zones of restricted human interface have been identified therefore. Character of each of these zones shall be regulated and treated di fferently
Medium Intervention Zone & its Character
Entrance Plaza & Promenade 1.
Two entry points – one on the North and the other on the West. This will discontinue the thorough movement around the lake and yet offer discrete visual experience from both the nodes.
2.
Vehic ehicul ular ar traf traffic fic shal shalll be be res restr tric icte ted d at at the the plaz plaza. a.
3.
It will will have have parki parking ng facili facility ty,, ticke ticketin ting, g, info informa rmatio tion n cente centerr with with curi curio o shop, a resting resting place, eat out joint etc.
4.
A ride ride by horse horse carts carts or bullo bullock ck cart carts s shal shalll conn connect ect the 2 entr entry y poin points ts taking the visitors through the wooded landscapes on the periphery
Medium Intervention Zone & its Character
Route connecting the two Entry Points on the lake periphery
It will have parking facility, ticketing, information center with curio shop, a resting place, eat out joint etc.
Medium Intervention Zone & its Character
Promenade & Observatory Corner 1.
Entr Entran ance ce Plaz Plaza a on on the the West West shal shalll lea lead d int into o a Promenade walk by the sides of the lake culminating into a Bird Observatory. Observatory.
2.
The The Obs Obser erva vato tory ry is strat strateg egic ical ally ly plac placed ed at one one of of the corners with large opening vista into the lake habitats.
Low Intervention Zone & its Character
Walking Bird Museum The hard stand of promenade will soften into a board walk experience lined with information panels on birds and their ecosystem (a walking bird museum) The walk goes through wooded edges for nature lovers to contemplate
Low Intervention Zone & its Character 1.
The entran entrance ce plaza plaza on the North North is a restr restrict icted ed zone zone unlik unlike e the the one one in the West West which is more public in nature. It shall have strictly guided and timed bird trails. Different Smaller lake forms and lagoon-like spaces may be generated as a part of the Lake ecology to become Eco Parks.
2.
Less Less distur disturban bance ce by by mass mass inte interv rvent ention ion provid provides es for for the the right right settin setting, g, natu natural ralist istic ic edges and maximum biodiversity biodiversity.. Nature trails and silent walks will cater cater to the intense nature lovers.
walking trails
Decks (view points)
Community Intervention Zone & its Character
Agro farming (organic only) is incorporated in the scheme of design. This will enable the local community & city dwellers to come forward and cultivate a variety of trees, fruits orchards, medicinal plants and so on thereby, improving the environment, and general well being of the people. Besides this, it will attract a variety of birds, rejuvenate soil, give nature enthusiasts a reason to engross in different varieties of flora, deter people from illegal trespassing,
Schematic Plan of Thol Bird Sanctuary (Pre Monsoon)
Schematic Plan of Thol Bird Sanctuary (Post Monsoon)
Materials & Finishes – eco eco friendly
Eco-Friendly Materials Use of Exposed Brick, Mud, Terracotta Terracotta tiles, Bamboo, Natural Stones, Waste Waste material, Tensile Tensile Fabric, Muram & Red sand
Pathways / Paved areas
Block Cost Estimate of Thol Bird Sanctuary Development Sr. No.
Unit Considered
Activities
Total Units
Unit Cost (Rs.)
Block Cost (Rs. Crores)
1
Total Covered Built up area (incl. interior + museum installations and services)
Sq. mt.
1000
20000
2,00,00,000
2
Access Road (tar road for access and maintenance, avg. 6m wide)
Kms.
7
450/sq. mt.
1,89,00,000
3
Designed Landscape Intervention Parking Area
Sq. mt.
4300
750
32,25,000
Pedestrian Plaza from entrance to the Lake edge
Sq. mt.
3700
1100
40,70,000
Entrance Plaza Garden & Lawn (high maintenance)
Sq. mt.
8000
800
64,00,000
Sq. mt.
6000
1350
81,00,000
Cum.
5650
90
5,08,500
Sq. mt.
2600
350
9,10,000
Proposed planting clusters and belts(2-3 rows of tree or 30m. wide belt) considering 6 x 6m. grid
Nos.
6000
350
21,00,000
Boundary planting of buffer belts(3-4 rows of tree or 50m wide belt) considering 5 x 5m. grid
Nos.
7760
300
23,28,000
4
Lake Intervention Lake front Promenade (Avg. width 10-12m, with pavilion, structures, seats, lighting etc.) Embankment Stabilization along the Promenade Triangular section of 4m. base and 2m. height Low intervention zone(2m. wide path and parallel 10m. wide landscape garden on both sides)
6
Horse or Bullock cart track (murram or rammed earth)
Sq. mt.
8400
250
21,00,000
7
Proposed Agro farming boundary (partially raised walk/ embankment etc.)
Sq. mt.
5700
250
14,25,000
Total Cost
7,00.66,500
Block Cost Estimate of Rs. 7 Crores (approx.)
Team Members Madhup Majhumdar Landscape Architect & Conservationist Anal Vaishnav Vaishnav Architect & Urban Planner Dwaipayan Bhattacharya Landscape Architect Mansi Shah Architect & Urban Designer Designer Ankur Chowdhury Architect & Regional Planner Nouman Malik Architect Jaydatt Vaishnav Architect & Urban Planner
By DAC & I-CON JV (Surat, Ahmedabad & Delhi )
