Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated Nandanvan Zoo at Jungle Safari situated in Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur on Saturday, during wildlife week.
In the zoo, there will be 37 sections including 11 newly built sections. Two white tigers, four lions, two royal Bengal tiger, two leopard, two Himalayan bear, two hippopotamus, two alligators, 20 fresh water turtles, four Bengal monitor lizadrs, 13 star tortoises, eight crocodiles will be kept in separate sections in natural habitat.
On the occasion, Baghel said that the state government is committed towards conservation and protection of wildlife and forests. This jungle safari and zoo developed by Forest Department is one of its kinds in the country.
In future, more wild animals will be brought here and more facilities will be developed for wild animals.
Better infrastructure will be developed for convenience of tourists visiting jungle safari, he said.
Chief Minister also inaugurated various sections built in jungle safari zoo for different animals.
The inaugural programme was also attended by Forest Minister Mohammad Akbar, Urban Development Minister Dr Shiv Dahariya, MLAs Dhanendra Sahu, Kuldeep Juneja, Ex-MLA Chunnilal Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary RP Mandal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Rakesh Chaturvedi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Atul Kumar Shukla and other department officials.
It is noteworthy that Jungle Safari has been developed in nearly 270 hectare area, wherein 125 cheetal, five black bucks, 20 chital, nine barking dears, 20 nilgai, five bears, four tigers and seven lion are there at present.