The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) approved the proposal for the Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari at Deesa in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district to develop Asia’s first desert-themed drive-through night safari, an official said on Wednesday.
Political Context
The park will be designed around a desert ecosystem with arid landscapes. The Gujarat Forest Department will develop the project on 103 hectares of government land at an estimated cost of ₹ 542.14 crore. “The proposed Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari is being developed over about 103 hectares of government land at Deesa. The project has been prepared in accordance with Central Zoo Authority guidelines and has an estimated cost of ₹ 542.14 crore.
Because of its 103 hectares of land, natural sand dunes, proximity to the Banas river and road and railway connectivity, forest officials said the site was selected.
It has now received approval from the Central Zoo Authority,” forest and environment minister Arjun Modhwadia said. Minister of state for forests and environment Pravin Mali said the project would also focus on conservation breeding, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, environmental education and scientific interpretation. “The project will not only provide visitors with a unique wildlife experience but will also serve as a centre for conservation breeding, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, environmental education and scientific interpretation of nature,” Mali said in a statement. Principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden, Gujarat, Indian species planned for the facility include chinkara, blackbuck, Indian wild ass, Asiatic lion, leopard, Indian porcupine, Indian hare, hedgehog, sloth bear, caracal, Indian wolf, golden jackal, striped hyena and Indian desert fox, according to Jaipal Singh.
