Rajay Deep
Bathinda
After going through the success of the 30-hectare spread Deer Safari in Bathinda, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has now cleared the path for establishing Tiger Safari here in the area of Bir Talab, adjacent to the existing mini-zoo.
The forest and wildlife conservation department of the state, had submitted the proposal for the project to come up in a natural habitat spread over 20 hectare, to the CZA some months back. Going through the supported documents, the CZA has now given the approval to the layout plan but with some queries.
The CZA has asked the forest and wildlife department of Punjab to first ensure the allocation of budget from the state government, which is reportedly Rs 3 crore, as drafted. Then, the CZA has also asked the department concerned to recruit the staff on its own to run the project.
“These are the conditions which were obvious for the CZA to put on the project but we’ll manage the things to get the project set up in Bathinda,” said Sanjiv Kumar Tiwari, the Divisional Forest Officer.
According to information, the DFO apprised of the conditions to the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who has further directed the higher authorities of the state to discuss all possibilities to arrange funds and meet other conditions imposed by the CZA.
“Though the schedule is yet to come, it is expected that the meeting will be held soon where the modalities will be finalised,” informed the DFO.
The existing zoo-cum-safari is currently spread over 74 hectares of land of which 30 hectares are being used for the deer safari while the tiger safari would be spread over 20 hectares of land, which has been created partially well in advance. The remaining part is all lying with the mini-zoo providing sufficient space for executing the up-gradation plans.
About the tiger couple, the DFO said that it could be brought from the Chhat Bir Zoo near Zirakpur, which would further lead to the further breeding in the safari.
The deer safari, which was inaugurated in December last year, houses hog deer, black bucks, spotted deer and Sambar, over 100 in total as learnt. For the visitors the safari offers ride on a battery operated train and a golf cart.
The project is learnt to be desired by the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal who wishes to develop Bathinda as a glowing tourism destination.
Working on the lines, besides the deer and tiger safaris, the department concerned has planned a yet another interesting project at the mini zoo-cum-deer safari here—the interpretation-cum-information centre.
The building for the same is near completion but before taking the next step, the zoo authorities now want the state government to allocate the funds.
The centre is proposed to have dioramas of species of animals including that of tiger, deer present in the safari including black bucks, sambar, spotted deer and hog deer and other animals in the zoo.
Besides this, some touch screen audio-video panels will also be installed at the centre and visitors can get information about the animals from those touch screens also.
The project would be first of its kind in the state, the DFO claimed, mentioning that there would be different sections for flowers, herbivores, carnivores and wildlife to ensure the visitors get proper information on every subject.
Besides, the mini-zoo here is also coming up with an Inspection Bungalow and Veterinary Hospital. Though the building for bungalow has been constructed, the divisional office is waiting for the requisite funds to set up infrastructure inside.
Meanwhile, the department is also working on setting up various more cages to house wild dogs, a pair of hippopotamus, beers and a leopard, all within the zoo premises.
rajaydeep@dailypostindia.com
Bathinda
After going through the success of the 30-hectare spread Deer Safari in Bathinda, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has now cleared the path for establishing Tiger Safari here in the area of Bir Talab, adjacent to the existing mini-zoo.
The forest and wildlife conservation department of the state, had submitted the proposal for the project to come up in a natural habitat spread over 20 hectare, to the CZA some months back. Going through the supported documents, the CZA has now given the approval to the layout plan but with some queries.
The CZA has asked the forest and wildlife department of Punjab to first ensure the allocation of budget from the state government, which is reportedly Rs 3 crore, as drafted. Then, the CZA has also asked the department concerned to recruit the staff on its own to run the project.
“These are the conditions which were obvious for the CZA to put on the project but we’ll manage the things to get the project set up in Bathinda,” said Sanjiv Kumar Tiwari, the Divisional Forest Officer.
According to information, the DFO apprised of the conditions to the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who has further directed the higher authorities of the state to discuss all possibilities to arrange funds and meet other conditions imposed by the CZA.
“Though the schedule is yet to come, it is expected that the meeting will be held soon where the modalities will be finalised,” informed the DFO.
The existing zoo-cum-safari is currently spread over 74 hectares of land of which 30 hectares are being used for the deer safari while the tiger safari would be spread over 20 hectares of land, which has been created partially well in advance. The remaining part is all lying with the mini-zoo providing sufficient space for executing the up-gradation plans.
About the tiger couple, the DFO said that it could be brought from the Chhat Bir Zoo near Zirakpur, which would further lead to the further breeding in the safari.
The deer safari, which was inaugurated in December last year, houses hog deer, black bucks, spotted deer and Sambar, over 100 in total as learnt. For the visitors the safari offers ride on a battery operated train and a golf cart.
The project is learnt to be desired by the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal who wishes to develop Bathinda as a glowing tourism destination.
Working on the lines, besides the deer and tiger safaris, the department concerned has planned a yet another interesting project at the mini zoo-cum-deer safari here—the interpretation-cum-information centre.
The building for the same is near completion but before taking the next step, the zoo authorities now want the state government to allocate the funds.
The centre is proposed to have dioramas of species of animals including that of tiger, deer present in the safari including black bucks, sambar, spotted deer and hog deer and other animals in the zoo.
Besides this, some touch screen audio-video panels will also be installed at the centre and visitors can get information about the animals from those touch screens also.
The project would be first of its kind in the state, the DFO claimed, mentioning that there would be different sections for flowers, herbivores, carnivores and wildlife to ensure the visitors get proper information on every subject.
Besides, the mini-zoo here is also coming up with an Inspection Bungalow and Veterinary Hospital. Though the building for bungalow has been constructed, the divisional office is waiting for the requisite funds to set up infrastructure inside.
Meanwhile, the department is also working on setting up various more cages to house wild dogs, a pair of hippopotamus, beers and a leopard, all within the zoo premises.
rajaydeep@dailypostindia.com
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