Wetland in Howrah to shelter fishing cats
Enclosure to educate people about habitat of Bengal’s state animal
A mini-wetland is coming up inside a park in Howrah to provide a home for rescued fishing cats.
The enclosure, carved out of a portion of land at Garchumuk Deer Park in Uluberia, around 60km from the heart of Calcutta, is fenced by a mesh of steel wires.
Bamboo shoots have been planted inside the enclosure. An artificial shallow water body has been dug. Tall reeds like khori (Saccharum narenga) and hogla (Typha elephantina and Typha domingensis) will be planted there.
Two pairs of fishing cats, rescued from Howrah, have been just released into the open enclosure, said a forest official in Howrah.