The Hindu : Front Page : Coming soon: A safari park in the heart of Delhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 30, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Coming soon: A safari park in the heart of Delhi

Lakshmi B. Ghosh

NEW DELHI: A safari park right here in the heart of the Capital? Sounds hard to believe? Well, Delhi University thinks otherwise.

In an unusual venture that will clearly be a first for the city, the grand old university has embarked on the brand new project of creating a ride through the greens for a peek into the wild for its residents.

It may not have rhinos or the big cats, but Delhi University authorities say the safari will still be a "must dekko" for nature lovers in this part of the world. Being prepared as a major hot spot in the run-up for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, the safari ride will be part of the Aravalli Biodiversity Park being developed by the University in collaboration with the Delhi Development Authority.

While the Biodiversity Park itself is spread over 697 acres, Delhi University has decided to develop 150 to 200 acres for the purpose of the safari. ``It was a plateau that we have converted into a savannah grassland of sorts so that the visibility is clear but visitors get the feel of travelling through a jungle,'' says Vilas Gogate, consultant for the park.

The ride may be short of many of the thrills that a normal safari provides, but the professors working on the park say it will promote eco-tourism in a city that is high on concrete and growing more so with each passing day.

"We already have nearly 25 neelgais in the park and are planning to get some deer from various parks in the city which are facing the problem of overpopulation. Apart from that we have three hyenas and some jackals and foxes already in the park. There is also a sizable bird population that people will love to see. Also, once the park develops there will be more wild animals coming in,'' adds Prof. Gogate. Another interesting draw will be a butterfly park that is slated for a winter opening. Officials say that with the planting of more plants the butterfly population will only increase. ``

We already have around 30 species of butterflies in the park. With the planting of more plants and a good monsoon, things will only get better,'' notes Prof. Gogate.

Although the University was also considering a night safari, officials say since the park may not have the big cats -- often the highlight of a night outing in the jungle -- there may really be no attraction in it for most people.

"There is a possibility of adding bigger cats later but then we will have to arrange enclosures. In any case, with the development of the park many wild animals will be migrating on their own. But the grassland here is sure to remind people of national parks like the good old Corbett,'' says former Delhi University Pro-Vice Chancellor C. R. Babu who is looking after the project.

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