2nd phase of work to begin at Bengal Safari Park from January next year

SOUMITRA NANDI | MP | 22 Sep 2018 | Kolkata: The state Forest department will take up work for the second phase of Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri from January next year. An aquarium with a variety of local fish, a toy train along with a flower garden and children's park are among the facilities that the department plans to develop in the second phase at Safari Park. 

"The underground aquarium will take the visitors to a wondrous underwater journey with glass walls on either side as the fish species in the rivers and other marine animals will swim by your side. It will be most thrilling and the feeling will equal to venturing into the river. We are preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and will submit it to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her final approval in January," state Forest minister Binay Krishna Barman said adding that the project will entail an investment of more than Rs 100 crore. 

The minister added that his department also plans to set up the infrastructure for running toy train and develop a garden with beautiful flowers.

"Our plan is to make the Safari Park more attractive for children. We will put up facilities like a merry-go-round, seesaw, swings and slides for the children around the flower garden. There are some more plans which will be divulged later," Barman added. 

Spread over an area of 297-hectare, the animal park that was unveiled in January 2016 has already emerged as a major attraction for tourists and locals. As of now, there are three Royal Bengal Tigers with three cubs, a rhinoceros, gharials, over 400 deer, two elephants and an aviary with birds of different species at the park.

There are a number of safaris in the park that have become extremely popular. 

The safari of the herbivores is spread across an area of 100 hectare. There are bear safari, the Royal Bengal Tiger safari and the recently introduced leopard safari spreading over an area of 20 hectare each. 

"We are awaiting the nod of the Centre for the commencement of work for a leopard safari of international standards at South Khayerbari in North Bengal which will be spread over an area of 23 hectare," Barman added.