CM Yogi to inaugurate Etawah lion safari in February

KANPUR: Chief minister Aditya Nath Yogi is likely to inaugurate Lion Safari in Etawah in February.
In the first phase, deer, bear, antelope and leopard safaris will be opened for public. Etawah Lion Safari, which has four lions and three lionesses--Jessica, Heer and Kunwari, and two cubs--Sultan and Shimba--will be opened later as according to safari sources, the Lion Safari could be opened for public only if it has 10 cubs. The authorities are trying their best to increase number of cubs.

The department will soon start proceedings to bring seven leopards from Lucknow and Kanpur zoos for the leopard safari.

"Four leopards from Lucknow zoo and three from Kanpur zoo will be shifted soon to Etawah Lion Safari. At present, they are undergoing taming exercises. These leopards had to be shifted at Etawah Safari, but as the weather was not conducive, we therefore delayed their shifting from Lucknow and Kanpur zoos," informed safari sources.

According to the plan, leopards will be housed in nearly 150 hectare Reserve Fisher Forest area which will also house lions, bears, deer and antelopes.

Recently, the government gave its nod for inauguration of the safari in February. Most probably CM Aditya Nath Yogi will inaugurate the mega project worth Rs 25 crore. Awas Vikas, which is the nodal agency of the project, has been asked to complete all pending work related with the project by January. At present, fencing work worth Rs one crore is underway at the safari," said PP Singh, director, Lion Safari.

"Before reaching Lion Safari, the visitors will first come across with leopards, bears, deer and antelope safaris. The objective of the expansion is to make the project more attractive," Singh said and added that each enclosure will be spread over 50 hectare, and visitors will be able to drive through the safari in these enclosures.