Shifting of Nehru Zoo: Forest team visits Vantara in Jamnagar

This visit follows Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's directive to officials to establish a new zoo park on the city's outskirts, ideally in the fourth city. In response, forest officials have identified several revenue lands near Kurumidda, Kadthal, Tadiparthy, and other forest blocks in Rangareddy district.

Hyderabad: A team of officials from State forest department and Telangana State Forest Development Corporation is on a visit to Vantara animal shelter in Jamnagar, Gujarat to study different aspects and submit a report to the State government.

This visit comes after Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had directed officials to set up a new zoo park on the city outskirts, preferably in the fourth city. Accordingly, forest officials have identified a few revenue lands abutting Kurumidda, Kadthal, Tadiparthy and other forest blocks in Rangareddy district.

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The idea was to set up a new zoo park with safari rides and other facilities spread over 200 acres. Visitors should have night camp, nigh safari and other amenities at the proposed new zoo park. To study these aspects, a team of senior officials were in Gujarat on a two-day trip and it concludes today, said a senior official from forest department.

The objective behind visiting Vantara animal shelter, which was founded by Anant Ambani, was to study the operation and maintenance aspects, besides facilities extended for animals and their upkeep. Based on these aspects, the officials would submit a report in two weeks to the State government on the project cost, land requirement and others, the official added.

Three weeks ago, the Chief Minister had directed forest officials to study all aspects for establishing a new zoo park on the city outskirts. However, the Chief Minister’s decision had not gone well with different sections with a few questioning the need for a new zoo park, when the popular Nehru Zoological Park was already established decades ago.

Citing the high expenditure involved in setting up a new zoo park, Forum for Good Governance president M Padmanabha Reddy wanted the State government to focus on health and education sectors.