Boating facility will now be available to visitors at the Jungle Safari from January 1 next year in the new Capital.

 Chief Minister Raman Singh on Friday launched ‘Nauka Vihar’ at the Jungle Safari. The Chief Minister also enjoyed the boat ride on the 180 acres Khandwa Reservoir at Jungle Safari.

Singh, while expressing his happiness, added that Jungle Safari was a major attraction to visitors from all over the

country and the State.

Raipur city and the State got a distinct identity because of Jungle Safari. Modern facilities were being added to the tourists on a regular basis, he said. The Jungle Safari comprises of four separate Safaris including Herbivore Safari, Bear Safari, Tiger and lion Safari. Around 166 personnel including officials, doctors, zoo-keeper, guard and other staff are deployed for taking care of animals in the Safari.

 Notably the Chhattisgarh government has also earmarked 258.48 hectares of land in the capital for setting up a ‘Nature Resort’ and a ‘Theme Park’ in future, officials stated.

 On the other hand, it may be recalled that a  ‘Theme Residential Township’—the first of its kind in Central India would have people living in sort of a ‘getaway’ location surrounded by natural surroundings in the new capital city.

The State government recently informed that the ‘Purkhauti Muktangan’ had also been developed with the vision to promote culture, tradition, and archeology.

Traditional sculptors of Chhattisgarh have given it the shape of cultural heritage. Spread over 200 acres of land, Purkhauti Muktangan is situated nearly 20 km away from village Uparwara, officials informed.

 Soon rock garden and aquarium will also be developed at the Purkhauti Muktangan premises which will further enhance its significance, they informed.

 Rural Engineering Department Abhanpur and Raipur besides Chhattisgarh Tourism Board have been appointed implementation agency under Purkhauti Muktangan Scheme.

 Till date, development works on 20 acres of land have been completed, which includes landscaping, civil work, installation of fountain and water stage.

 Development works of the first phase include construction of magnificent entrance, tourist information centre, path-way, media path, Baiga Chowk Devgudi, Chhattisgarh Haat, Chhattisgarhi Chowk, tribal traditional shade, amusement park, roads and water supply facility, workshop for iron craftsmen, traditional net for mural paintings, construction of freedom fighters’ statutes, boundary wall construction, making of Chhattisgarh’s map that will highlight the greatness of Chhattisgarh.  It may be recalled that the Chhattisgarh government has also commenced the process for setting up the ‘Tribal Museum and Tribal Research & Training Centre’ at the ‘Purkhouti Muktangan’ premises here, officials informed.

 Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) will also be developing an integrated adventure sports facility at  Sendh lake in the new capital region.  It may be also recalled that the Chhattisgarh government would also re-create models of Bastar and Surguja division jungles and other natural beauty of Chhattisgarh in the proposed Film City to come up at Naya Raipur.

 The nature based models would be created for enabling shooting of films which would also help showcase Chhattisgarh in global cinematic space, officials informed.