Bannerghatta National Park to have leopard safari soon

 

Good news for people in Bengaluru as country's first leopard safari project is going to be implemented in Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP). The Public Work Department and Central Zoo Authority of India have granted approval for the project, and the BBP authorities have already started the tendering process. 

 

The work for leopard safari is expected to start soon within a few weeks time. 

 

As per the plan, four separate premises will be constructed for the safari and each premise will have six cages. Executive Director of the biological park told that the construction of each premise costs around ₹ 24 lakhs. 

 

Sources say that the BBP submitted its proposal to Central Zoo Authority of India two years ago and was waiting for the approval as the zoo authority was planning to implement this project in Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysuru. 

 

But, since the authorities of Mysuru refused to accept the captivated leopards, the approval was granted for the BBP.

 

The intended Leopard Safari project will be implemented next to the present lion safari and bear safari. Currently, there are 32 leopards in the park and 20 out of them will be kept in the safari. 

 

The remaining 12 will be kept in cages and rehabilitation emplacements since some are too young (around 3 months) and some are too old (above 13 years).      

 

BBP officials confirmed that the safari is one of the attractive centres for environmental tourism and it needs financial support from forest department as well as the department of tourism. 

 

BBP is going to construct leopard safari in 20 hectares of land which costs about ₹ 5 to 6 crores in total. 

 

Entry fees (in ₹) for Chita Safari:

 

Bus Safari (per head)	₹180
AC Bus Safari	₹500
Jeep Safari (non-AC for 4 persons)	₹2500
Jeep Safari (AC for 4 persons)	₹3000
Bolero (AC)	₹4000
Zoo ticket	₹80