With elections round the corner and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on an inauguration spree, the Central Zoo Authority has thrown a spanner as it is yet to give a green signal to the inauguration of Etawah Safari Parks - a composition of sanctuaries for antelopes, bear, leopard and lion.
This is a dream project of Chief Minister, who had inaugurated the Deer section of the Safari Park in October but the whole projects needs clearance from the CZA.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Rupak De said that the file seeking permission to open Etawah Safari Parks has been sent to CZA almost 20 days back.
“We are eagerly awaiting a green signal from the national body as we have everything ready there. Once we get the nod, we will set the ball rolling the very next day,” De told ‘The Pioneer’ on Friday.
There is fear that if the CZA does not give permission within a couple of days, the state government would be forced to skip the inaugural function as Assembly election dates are likely to be announced by this month end.
De claimed that five Safaris, spread across 800 acres, would be the largest in the country. “This would not be Safari in the truest term. Here animals would be kept in captivity but their enclosures would be as huge as 20 hectares. The feel would be of a Safari but in technical terms it would be zoo,” the senior Forest official said.
He added that tourists would be provided vehicles for a detour of the Safaris as it would not be possible for them to walk the whole area.
When asked about the fate of the lion Safari, De made it clear that after some teething problems, the lionesses have started breeding cubs and in the next one year it will meet the conditions set by the CZA for its opening.
“Now all the lions and lionesses are healthy and two newly born cubs are also fit. It is now an achievement for UP that Gujarat wildlife wing is also following the health tips taken by the lion Safari authorities and procuring drugs from the US and veterinary experts from other countries,” De claimed.
He said that once ready, the liuon Safari would be a top tourist destination. “The Agra-lucknow Expressway would be the main gateway of the Safari Parks. This is now equally accessible from lucknow and Delhi and perfect place for a family outing,” De said.