Lion safari at Etawah: Cubs yet to be born, Akhilesh moves on to ‘animal safari’

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Conceived in 2005 by Mulayam, the lion safari has been on top of the priority list of the SP government. However, it is unlikely to become functional before the 2017 Assembly elections.

Currently, two lionesses — Girishma and Heer — are pregnant and expected to deliver is in third week of July. Even after the birth of the cubs, they cannot be released for Lion Safari for at least two years — till 2017, when the state goes to polls. Moreover, officials at the Lion Safari claimed that releasing a few pairs of lions will not make any difference, as it will be very difficult for tourists to spot them.

Thus, under these circumstances, the forest department proposed an elephant safari in Etawah. But it was not sanctioned by the Central Zoo Authority. “There are some issues due to which it is difficult to set up an elephant safari. But on June 7, we have sent a fresh letter for setting up an animal safari. The Central Zoo Authority is likely to hold a meeting in the first week of July, where the animal safari proposal will be taken up,” said K K Singh, Director of Lion Safari in Etawah.

The forest department is ready with all preparations to launch the animal safari after approval from the Central Zoo Authority. “We have all the four animals in our zoos. We can easily shift them in safari. It will not take much time,” said Singh.

The entire project is set to come up on around 350 hectares of land with lion safari on 50 hectares and the remaining area as buffer.