Home / Environment / India's First Night Safari Gets Green Light!
India's First Night Safari Gets Green Light!
18 Jul
Summary
- India's first Night Safari project approved by Supreme Court.
- Project located in Lucknow's ecologically sensitive Kukrail Reserve Forest.
- The Rs 1,510-crore project will feature nocturnal animal observation.
The Supreme Court has granted final approval for Uttar Pradesh's pioneering Night Safari and Day Zoo project in Lucknow's Kukrail Reserve Forest. This Rs 1,510-crore initiative, planned across 855 acres, marks India's first Night Safari and will feature unique nocturnal observation zones.
The project's Phase I includes a Night Safari and Eco-tourism Zone, while Phase II will develop a Day Zoo. Visitors will experience naturalistic habitats for various species, including lions, tigers, and leopards, observed via battery-operated vehicles. A special lighting system will mimic moonlight, allowing clear viewing of nocturnal animals without disturbance.
After years of scrutiny due to its location within the ecologically sensitive reserve, the project received necessary clearances from wildlife boards and the Central Zoo Authority. The Supreme Court's approval this week followed thorough examination by a Central Empowered Committee, marking a significant step for wildlife conservation and tourism in the region.
The Kukrail Reserve Forest, an important urban green space and home to a vital gharial conservation center since 1975, will now host this integrated conservation and research facility. The project aims to promote wildlife breeding, research on nocturnal behavior, and public awareness.
