New tourist points to be identified at Sambhar Lake

Context

• Sambhar Lake is a part of Desert Circuit under Swadesh Darshan Scheme and the state government is identifying all such facets of the lake which can be showcased to the tourists.

What is Swadesh Darshan Scheme?

• Ministry of Tourism (MoT) launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (Central Sector Scheme) for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country in 2014-15
• Various themes which are unique and specific to the area are included like beaches, culture, heritage, wildlife, etc.
• Such theme-based tourist circuits should be developed in a manner that supports communities, provides employment, and fosters social integration.
• Theme based circuits identified:

1. 1. Buddhist
   2. Coastal
   3. Desert
   4. Eco
   5. Heritage
   6. Himalayan
   7. Krishna
   8. North East
   9. Ramayan
   10. Rural
   11. Spiritual
   12. Sufi
   13. Tirthankar
   14. Tribal
   15. Wildlife
       
       

About Sambhar Lake

• A Ramsar Site and large saline lake, important for a variety of wintering waterbirds.
• Sambhar Lake is famous for harboring flamingos in large numbers, next only to Rann of Kutch in the country.
• The waders congregate here in appreciable numbers besides migratory ducks; especially pochards, coots, and other aquatic birds.
• The terrestrial fauna confined to the catchment area includes rare/threatened species like Uromastix, saw-scaled viper, desert cat, desert fox, etc.
• Human activities consist of salt production and livestock grazing.
• Changes in ecological character: Siltation, soil Stalinization and discharge of sewage from the town are some of the major problems confronting the wetland
• Avian botulism killed over 18,000 birds in and around Rajasthan’s Sambhar lake, the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, said in a report released on November 21, 2019
  • Botulinum is a natural toxin produced by a bacteria known as Clostridium botulin. It produces the toxin when it starts reproducing.