Nagpur: The stage is set for the opening of the country’s largest Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park on January 26, covering an area of more than 564 hectares. Overall, Gorewada is spread across 1,914 hectares.
On Tuesday evening, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray will throw open the Indian safari, the first phase of the project in 115 hectares. It consists of leopard, sloth bear, herbivore and tiger safaris. Forest minister Sanjay Rathod, other VIPs and forest officials will remain present.
Overall, the safari is divided into four segments, covering a 12km route. It starts from the leopard safari and ends with the tiger safari. There are 7 leopards (2 male & 5 females), two tigers (Lee & Rajkumar), six sloth bears, 14 nilgais and 4 chitals.
“We plan to introduce two more tigers in the safari. The entire show will be run by us,” said N Vasudevan, managing director of Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), which is executing the project.
On the proposed Phase II, Vasudevan said, “We will complete the next phase in one year as the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has granted approval to the master plan of Phase-II which includes the African safari, tribal trail, night safari, biopark and a trail of senses. The government has spent Rs60 crore on the Indian safari.”
Of the Rs452 crore project, the viability gap funding (VGF) by the state government was Rs200 crore while the remaining fund was to be brought by Essel World. “The MoU signed with the private partner hangs in the balance. We will have to either see another partner or if funds are provided by the state we will go ahead on our own,” said Vasudevan.
During a preview of the safari, though no leopards or tigers were sighted, home minister Anil Deshmukh, who visited the park on Sunday morning, was lucky to sight both.
“As the animals are still not familiar with the entire area and were habitual living close doors, it will take some time for them to settle,” Vasudevan told the media.
PCCF (HoFF) N Rambabu, PCCF (wildlife) NH Kakodkar and other officials were present.
All four safaris are connected with tall fences and automated gates that help one to enter another safari. There is no scope for animals to enter each others’ area. The leopard, tiger, and bear safaris in 25 hectares each and herbivore in 40 hectares have big water ponds which will have round-the-clock water.
Apart from the night shelter, the entire area is an open forest with small trees and grassland for animal movement. Most of the forest has thin vegetation.
“The cave and prototype of dilapidated houses in the leopard safari are symbolic to show how inviolate spaces have been created for the animals by taking up relocation. Some trees also have artificial images of vultures indicating its presence in the region,” said PCCF Rambabu.
Visitors will be taken to the safari in air-conditioned buses with broad glass windows to maximize viewing pleasure. The park offers many ancillary facilities like a cafeteria, spacious parking area, selfie points etc to cater to the needs of the tourists. Care has been taken to provide a natural habitat to the animals in the safari by creating big termite mounds, natural-looking waterholes, reservoirs etc.
LET’S GO TO GOREWADA
* Bookings: Offline counters as well as online booking facilities available
* Timings: March 15 to June 15: 7.30am to 11.30am & 3.30pm to 6.30pm. Rest of the year (June 16 to March 14): 8.30am to 5.30pm
* Fares: Premium A/C bus: Rs300 (weekdays) & Rs400 (weekends)
* Standard AC Bus: Rs200 (weekdays) & Rs300 (weekends)
* Non-AC bus for herbivore safari: Rs100 (all days).
* Inaugural offer: Discount on all fares except herbivore safari
* Attraction: Forest safari feel with 7 leopards, 2 tigers, 14 nilgais, 4 deer & 6 sloth bears