Boating at Gujarat’s famous Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is expected to resume by Diwali, bringing back a popular attraction for tourists after a two-year suspension.
The Gujarat Maritime Board has procured 100 mechanised boats, and training for boatmen is expected to begin soon. The move is aimed at ensuring safer and standardised boating operations at the sanctuary.
Boating was stopped in June 2024 following the Vadodara Harni boat tragedy. At the time, the boats operating at Nalsarovar did not meet the required licensing and registration standards.
To restart the service, the Tourism and Forest departments decided to provide standardised boats to registered boatmen. Those who had previously held licences will be given priority.
Relief for boatmen
The suspension severely affected the livelihoods of Nalsarovar’s boatmen, who typically earn around ₹50,000 during a season. With boating stopped for two seasons, many were left without their main source of income.
The resumption is expected to provide financial relief to boatmen and attract more tourists to the sanctuary.
Spread across 120.82 sq km, Nalsarovar is Gujarat’s largest wetland bird sanctuary and is home to more than 250 species of resident and migratory birds. These include rosy pelicans, flamingoes, white storks, Brahminy ducks and herons.
The return of boating is expected to give a boost to eco-tourism while ensuring that operations follow safety and regulatory standards.