To mark the birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister dedicated the ‘Indira Priyadarshani Nature Safari Mohrenga’ and performed Bhoomi Pujan for a Tennis Sports Academy here virtually on Thursday.
Dedicating the Nature Safari, developed on 555.850 hectares about 40 km on the Kharora-Tilda route from Raipur, he said Chhattisgarh has got one more tourist destination.
There is a need to protect nature to tackle the global crises of ‘Global Warming’. It is an appreciable step for protection of the forest and wild animals, he said. The Safari has around 40 species of animals and birds.
Forest Minister Mohammed Akbar said the Safari has wide varieties of trees including bamboo. There are four ponds, a four-storey watch tower, a pagoda, a bio-diversity hall and other facilities for tourists.
After laying the foundation stone for the Tennis Academy, Baghel said it would pave the way for holding international tennis events in Raipur. The academy will come up in over 4 acres of land and construction should be over within 15 months. The estimated cost is `17.75 crore. Sports Secretary Avinash Champavat said the campus will consist of an Admin Building, a Hostel and a Tennis Court.
The ground floor of the Admin Building will have a waiting room, reception, two changing rooms, two halls and parking area. The first floor will host a gym, dining area and waiting area.
The second floor will have a VIP Lodge. A pavilion with a 3,500-capacity will also come up. The third floor will have 17 rooms, Housekeeping as well as an International Tennis Court (Synthetic Court) and five Practice Courts (Synthetic Court).