India’s first night safari in Kukrail all set for a debut | Lucknow News
Lucknow: With officials hoping that the final approval from the Supreme Court could come by the end of Jan , India’s first night safari project in Lucknow’s Kukrail reserve forest may soon be a reality. Once complete, the project will give visitors a chance to see the animals in simulated moonlight while on a tram, which will complete the tour in 40 minutes or so. A moat or a glass wall will separate the area where animals are kept from the passages meant for the visitors.
“We will start the work soon after the SC nod. Building the boundary wall will be the first work to be carried out,” said an official. The state govt sanctioned Rs 631 crore for the project in previous budgets, with Rs 206 crore already released. The construction firm has also been finalised. Spanning over 855 acres in the north of the Kukrail forest, the Kukrail night safari project has 5 components. While shifting of the Lucknow zoo from its present location to Kukrail is one, building a four-lane road leading to the safari is another. Constructing a night safari, a day zoo, and an ecotourism zone are the other three components. The night safari is proposed over 400 acres, and the day zoo will claim 200 acres in the project. Around 115 species of animals will be on display in the night safari and day zoo at the place. The night safari will have the nocturnal species, and the day zoo will have the diurnal species. The place will also have 63 state-of-the-art enclosures for animals. Building a recreational area for visitors with green spaces, a cafeteria, and basic amenities is also a part of the project. The matter was heard by the SC on Aug 29, after which it referred the matter to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The CEC gave its recommendations on Nov 27, in which it advocated keeping the Lucknow zoo where it is, given its environmental significance and strategic location. The CEC also recommended against the four-laning of the road, as it will save 846 trees from being cut down at the place, and against an ecotourism zone in the reserve forest area. “The four-lane road was to be built by PWD, and we are fine with the recommendation of the CEC on that. The CEC approved the night safari and day zoo components of the project. On the rest of the points, the department will appeal to the Court,” said sources. The SC is expected to hear the matter on Jan 19.
