NATURE’S LAP

Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), which will complete 65 this year, will gift Hazaribagh a beautiful park in the midst of Tilaiya reservoir.

The power utility, which will be celebrating its birthday on July 7, has decided to develop its crocodile breeding centre — lying shut for around two decades at the island in the reservoir — into a green zone, having ornamental flowers and plants, besides rides for children. More boats will be added at Tilaiya Dam too.

The project will be part of an initiative taken by DVC to beautify tourist spots in its operational areas.

Confirming the plan, general secretary of DVC Officers’ Forum Sanjay Singh said: “We have entered into an agreement with infrastructure development firm IL&FS to beautify tourist destinations in places where we have presence. The crocodile park at Tilaiya dam, which has been lying shut for a number of years, features on that list. The main idea is to develop the place and add facilities to attract more visitors.”

However, he pleaded his inability to provide funds details at present. “All I can tell you is that DVC will look after the money part while IL&FS will develop the park,” Singh added.

There was a time when more than 40 crocodiles used to call the picturesque island at Tilaiya Dam their home. The reptiles lived in 10 tanks at the breeding centre maintained by the DVC. There was also a six-room guesthouse for visitors, who had to cross Barakar river on boats to reach the island. But in 1994, the centre was closed down.

“The dam was built on Barakar river in 1953 and a crocodile breeding centre was started. At that time, there was only two crocodiles and the number gradually grew to 40. But many of the reptiles started dying after fighting among themselves. Besides, DVC also had to procure a licence from the Wildlife Authority of India to continue running the centre. It did not want so much hassles and decided to shut down the centre,” Singh said.

The 25 crocodiles that were present at the centre then were sent to Jawahar Lal Nehru Park in Bokaro and the zoos in Ranchi and Patna. Local residents said the number of visitors to the reservoir drastically dropped after the closure of the crocodile centre, which was a huge hit among tourists.

DVC is also holding several programmes in Hazaribagh to mark its birthday. Last Friday, a debate was held, where 80 students from 20 schools participated. A kavi sammelan was lined up on Monday, while a marathon, Run for Green, will take place on Friday.

On the main day, that is July 7, corporation employees will take up a massive plantation drive in different areas of the town.