The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park, coming up between Daroji Bear Sanctuary and Hampi, would be thrown open to public by June, said Rehana Banu, chairperson of Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK).
Speaking to The Hindu here, Ms. Banu said that almost all the works — laying of roads, construction of enclosures for animals, construction of check dams and ponds— are nearing completion and would be ready by June. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be invited to inaugurate the facility, she added.
“To start with, we will develop the zoo by keeping carnivorous animals, including tigers, bears, leopards, among others, and also start a safari involving herbivorous animals,” she said.
The Rs. 34-crore zoological park is coming up on 141 hectares in the Bilikal forest area near Kamalapur and when inaugurated, would be the biggest in the country, Ms. Banu said. She said that Rs. 20 crore had been released for developmental works in the first phase and the remaining Rs. 14 crore would be released this year. “I have also requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to sanction an additional sum of Rs. 14 crore to develop the zoo to which he has agreed,” she added. She also said that ZAK has decided to continue operating the mini zoo in Ballari, besides adding play equipment to attract children. She said that surplus carnivorous animals in various zoos in the State would be shifted to other zoos, which were being upgraded. For the first time in the history of ZAK, Rs. 98 crore was earmarked by the State government, she said and added that the fund was utilised to introduce video conferencing for easy administration, accord priority to vet care, procure night vision cameras and install CCTV cameras in the zoos to improve vigil. Ms. Banu was in the city to participate in a career development workshop organised by the district unit of the National Students Union of India.
