100ha set aside for lion-tiger safari parks near SoU

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat govt’s ‘twin-adventure’ safari proposal that allows visitors to see two majestic wild cats — lions and tigers — up close in Kevadia is now with the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) for approval.
Senior officials said the plan includes creating two separate yet linked safari parks for lions and tigers near the Statue of Unity, allowing visitors to observe both animals in a single expedition.
Once CZAI gives its go-ahead, the lions will be procured from Sakkarbaug Zoo and the tigers from other zoos in the country in exchange for lions. The safari parks will house eight lions and eight tigers. There will be two males, two females and four cubs of each species. Tourists can either take a bus or an open jeep ride to see the animals.
Senior forest officials said the two safaris are designed to cover a 100-hectare area located 6km from the Statue of Unity towards the main canal in Kevadia.
The tiger and lion safaris are intended to be part of the existing jungle safari. These safari zones will be designed along the lines of Devaliya Safari Park and have exhibits similar to those found at the ZSL London Zoo. The lion safari also aims to show how the king of the jungle coexists with humans in Gir.
Sources in the forest department said that work on the safari is in full swing at the moment. “The topography is good for the jungle safari and a good number of trees are there in the area. It will take some time for the CZA permission. The routes are being designed in a way that the tourists would have a higher chance of sighting the animals. It will be a good wildlife safari experience for them. Those visiting the Statue of Unity (SOU) will want to take this safari.”
In 2018, the officials considered introducing an open safari near Kevadiya but decided to shelve it four years later after the jungle safari became operational. The forest department wanted to shift the open safari for tigers to Jhankhana and Jobari villages in Dang on the 29 hectares that were initially earmarked for a leopard safari. The project was later revived in 2023 and is now awaiting CZAI’s clearance.
(With inputs from Tushar Tere in Vadodara)