Gujarat: Giraffes to lumber around world’s tallest statue

AHMEDABAD: A site in Kevadia Colony — home to the world’s tallest statue, of Sardar Patel — will now give visitors the chance to observe some exotic animals of Africa and Australia, including kangaroo, giraffe, and zebra. The forest department, which is setting up lion and tiger safaris, will also organize a safari featuring wildlife from several continents. Animals from Africa and Australia will be the first to be brought to Kevadia under the initiative.

“The African section will also house ostrich and hippopotamus,” said a senior officer of the forest department. “The Australian section will also include wallaby, cassowary, and emu. The land for the initiative will span 150 acres. The land has already been given to the forest department and a detailed plan has been drawn up to begin construction.”

Additional chief secretary (forest and environment) Rajiv Gupta said: “We are planning to bring in exotic animals in the area near the Statue of Unity.” African lions were part of the plan initially, but later senior officials decided to focus on exotic animals that are not found in any part of the country. “We are trying to get animals that are easy to take care of,” an officer said.

For the tiger safari, the forest advisory committee has given the final approval for a park at Tilakwada in Narmada district, about 25km from the Statue of Unity. The park is expected to boost tourism as the forest department has also planned a lion safari near the tiger park.