Chhattisgarh to have biggest 'Jungle Safari'

Asia’s biggest man-made 'Jungle Safari' will come up in a sprawling 200 acres of land in Chhattisgarh ‘Naya Raipur’ the high-tech city that will replace Raipur as state’s capital from November 1.

Chief Minister Raman Singh on Friday performed laid the foundation stone for the project to be implemented in Khandwa village of the Naya Raipur. The project that would come up with an estimated cost of Rs 230 crore is stipulated to be completed within two years.

“This would be a unique jungle safari,” Singh said, adding that the project was designed after studying and visiting different jungle safari. Even the officials and the forest minister visited South Africa to get best of the project for the state, he added.

According to the forest officials, Jungle Safari has been divided into eight zones. It will have wild animals moving freely in natural surroundings. The eco-friendly vehicles would take the visitors around to have the enchanting glimpses of wild-life and nature’s beauty.

The officials estimated that the Jungle Safari would accommodate around 10,000 visitors every day. There would be safaris for tigers, lions, bears and other wild animals. The area would also have separate zones for the carnivorous and herbivorous animals in the Safari.

Besides a zoo, the Jungle Safari would have a huge 52 hectares reservoir. A replica of state’s famous Kutumsaar cave located in Bastar area would be build in the area so that visitors coming here could have a glimpse of Chhattisgarh’s famous tourist point.

While the zoo would be developed in 97,000 square meter of area, lion safari would be built in 200,000 square meter of pocket. Under the project, a tiger safari would be built in 206000 square meter and a bear safari in 200300 square meter area.

The Jungle Safari would be a new feature in the Naya Raipur, the new capital of Chhattisgarh that would be the fourth planned city in the country.

The city would reflect the world-class architect.