Safari ride soon in Mahananda forests

Wildlife lovers would soon be able to enjoy a safari ride in jeeps with animals like tiger, leopard, elephant and bison moving around in natural surroundings inside the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal.
The state forest department has prepared a detailed project report to allow safari in the southern section of the Mahananda forests located near Siliguri.
"After our plan is cleared by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) we will have safaris in an area of 700 acres of the forest where wildlife is seen in its natural surroundings," Chief Conservator of Forests (South-West) Dr B R Sharma told PTI here.

He said the Rs 200 crore North Bengal Wild Animals Park will be the first of its kind in the state.
Spread across more than 150 sq km of area in north Bengal, the Mahananda sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. Wildlife species which can be found in the forests include the Royal Bengal Tiger, Himalayan black bear, leopard, sambar, spotted and barking deer, Indian bison (gaur) and wild boar.
Hosting around 250 species of birds like Himalayan pied hornbill, egret, kingfisher, fly catchers, drongo, robin and woodpecker, the sanctuary is also a haven for bird watchers.