A file picture of migratory birds

Haflong, Jan. 27: The North Cachar Hills district administration and the state forest department have decided to set up a multi-ethnic village within the famous Jatinga bird sanctuary, located near the district headquarters.

The move is a bid to foster unity among the 13 tribes of the district ? most of whom are at war with each other, to promote tourism and to generate awareness among the local residents about the migratory birds that flock the area every year.

?It?s an endeavour to offer tourists a combination of the natural and cultural attractions of the place. The village will provide necessary facilities to tourists who flock to the sanctuary every autumn to witness the rare behaviour of the birds which commit suicide in large numbers. Besides, it will showcase the cultural heritage of the indigenous tribes,? divisional forest officer Dabiruz Zaman said.

Every tribe of the district, including the Dimasas, Hmars, Kukis, Jemi-Nagas, Karbis, Jaintias, Khasis, Baitias, Gangtes and Hrangkhwals, will be asked to build a hut in their traditional style in the village. These huts will be used as tourist camps.

Deputy commissioner Anil Kumar Barua said an amphitheatre will be set up in the middle of the village with full-fledged electrification and electronic sound system. The village will also have an information-cum-interpretation centre to help the tribes and the tourists.

He said the forest department will also construct a five-km trekking route between the Hempeopet Peak in the Borail range of mountains and the district headquarters of Haflong at a cost of 39 lakh.

The new project is being constructed under the Rashtriya Sama Bikash Yojana at an estimated cost of Rs 2.88 crore. It will be completed by December 2007.

The Jatinga bird sanctuary is located just five km from Haflong ? at the tri-junction of the road leading to Lumding, Silchar and the district headquarters.