Visitors to the ‘Statue of Unity’ (SoU), world’s tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, will soon also get to enjoy the Jungle Safari housing exotic animals and birds as the Gujarat Government is in the process of developing a world class zoo adjacent to the site at Kevadia Colony in Narmada district in the State.
Setting up of the Sardar Patel Zoological Park is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wishes keen to develop the spot as a major tourism hub, said a senior official from the Gujarat Government on condition of anonymity.
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA), a regulatory body for zoos in the country, has already given in-principle approval to the proposal of developing the zoo to be spread over 200 acres near the statue site which witnesses around 7 lakh tourists every year. The zoo, which is being developed in phases, is likely to be inaugurated in October this year, most probably on the birth anniversary of the iron man.
The official told The Pioneer that last year on December 22, the Prime Minister during his visit to the SoU site had expressed desire to develop Kevadia as a tourism hub so that the tourists visiting from far places have full value of their time and money.
“The Prime Minister wanted more attraction at the venue where kids and families can spend entire day together. Also idea is to sensitise and educate the visitors about the ecosystem and importance of wildlife conservation.
“The zoo will have five sections each for mammals, carnivorous, herbivorous and water animals and a walk through aviary besides exotic animals as per the zoo mandate. We are in the process of acquiring the animals from other zoos,” said the official.
Inaugurated by Modi last year, the 182 meter tall SoU is already flanked by 17-km-long patch of colourful flowers, around 100 varieties of flowers, along the banks of River Narmada to make the spot resembling a rainbow of flowers set up on earth. In addition, two beautiful lakes — ‘Kamal’ and ‘Poyani’ — are also developed.
With a view to give firsthand experience of nature and environment to visitors, natural treks — Reva Trek, Sadhu Trek, Vainkutth Baba Trek, Sardar Trek, and Ashwasthama Trek - have been developed. In addition to these, the site has Adventure Park, Garden of Five Senses, Selfie with Statue and Sardar garden, said the official.
Once Sardar Patel Zoological Park starts functioning, Gujarat will in total have eight zoos. The seven other zoos are Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh; Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden, Ahmedabad; Indroda Nature Park, Gandhi Nagar; Nature Park, Surat; Rajkot Municipal Corporation Zoo, Rajkot; Sayaji Baug Zoo, Vadodara; and Sundervan Nature Discovery Centre in Ahmedabad.