Karnataka - Bidar   

Wildlife safari planned in Bidar: Minister

Staff Correspondent

`Project report will be submitted to Central Zoo Authority for permission'

BIDAR: A wildlife safari will be established in Bidar, the Minister for Environment and Forests, Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, said.

The safari will help give a fillip to tourism in Bidar, which has a salubrious climate with nearly seven per cent of the area under forest cover. This will also help increase the per capita income of the local people, Mr. Nagamarapalli told The Hindu .

"We plan to set it up in Shahapura forest at a cost of Rs. 2.75 crores. The Hyderabad-Karnataka Development Board has already agreed to provide assistance," he said.

Project report

The Deputy Conservator of Forests, P.C. Ray, said that since the financial allocation was assured, a detailed project report will soon be submitted to the Central Zoo Authority for permission to start a safari here. The project report is being prepared under expert guidance, Mr Ray said.

"The district receives an annual rainfall of 800 to 900 mm. Forests are mainly man-made and are spread over the entire district in small patches. Forests in Narayanpur, Dhannura, Kosam, Khanapur, Chitta, Kamthana, Honnikeri, Dubalgundi, and Changler support a variety of wildlife. Though greater cats, such as lions and tigers, are not found in the district, the forests have a potential to regenerate into a well-stocked forest suited for such animals," Mr. Ray said.

According to the draft proposal prepared by the Forest Department, the safari will come up in an area of over 40 hectares. It will include a protected area and a free area.

While people will be allowed to enter the free area, only staff and veterinarians will be allowed to enter the protected area. Lions, tigers, and other animals will be placed in separate areas, surrounded by tall fences.

The safari will have all amenities, including canteen facilities, and water and power supply, he added.

Civil works will take up a major share of the cost of establishment, with the erection of fences and gates, and digging a moat to prevent animals from coming out of the area needing more than Rs. 2 crores, Mr. Ray added

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Wildlife safari planned in Bidar: Minister

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