Gujarat makes a significant leap in its tourism offerings with the development of a new lion-leopard safari park. This ambitious project showcases the state’s unique wildlife and enhances the overall visitor experience.
Lion-Leopard Safari Parks
A fascinating development in Gujarat will soon provide visitors with the tranquil beaches of Diu. The enchanted white desert of Kutch with the chance to participate in exhilarating animal treks.
The Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) has approved the state government’s request to create lion-leopard safari parks. This is a major step forward for tourism and animal conservation initiatives.
The twin safari parks will be built in Narayan Sarovar in Kutch and Naliya-Mandvi (Una taluka) in Gir Somnath. They would be designed in the same manner as the current Devalia safari park. These parks seek to improve Gujarat’s tourism scene while aiding in the preservation of wildlife. The planned Narayan Sarovar safari park will house lions and leopards among the region’s rare plants and animals. By giving guests an immersive wildlife experience, this safari park plans to greatly increase tourism in the area.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the establishment of the Naliya-Mandvi safari park earlier this year. The location would be approximately 8 km from Diu and encompass almost 400 hectares of forest land.
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Enhancing Gujarat Wildlife Experience
The Gujarat state government decided to establish multi-species safari parks throughout the state in March as part of a larger initiative to promote wildlife conservation. These new parks will have a range of animal species, deviating from the conventional single-species safari concept and providing guests with a deeper and more varied experience.
The CZAI has authorized the construction of a cheetah breeding centre in the Banni region of Kutch in addition to these safari parks. This institution, which spans more than 500 hectares, will be the first cheetah breeding facility in India. Since March, the state forest service has been working hard to prepare the location, which will include unique open-air isolation enclosures made to encourage cheetah mating behaviour.
Under the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act 2023, the Supreme Court ordered earlier this year that forest land have to be approved in advance before being designated as zoos or safari parks. This additional regulatory measure guarantees that the creation of these parks complies with applicable laws and environmental guidelines.
As Gujarat continues to invest in its tourism infrastructure, the state is likely to emerge as a leading destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Cover image credits: Canva