Ahmedabad: A desert-themed drive-through night safari and zoological park at Deesa in Banaskantha district has received the Central Zoo Authority (CZA)’s approval, paving the way for the ambitious Rs 542.1 crore wildlife tourism and conservation project.The proposed Deesa Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari, to be developed on 103 hectares of govt land at Juna Deesa, will combine conservation with eco-tourism, rescue, rehabilitation and environmental education. It will house around 2,700 native and exotic animals and birds from nearly 83 species.Forest officials said the project follows CZA guidelines and will be developed on contiguous govt land featuring natural sand dunes and proximity to Banas River.The night safari will be among the key attractions where visitors will get to observe nocturnal wildlife through specially designed enclosures. The facility will have five dedicated night safari enclosures, apart from a separate day zoo. The desert-themed park will showcase Indian species such as chinkara, blackbuck, Indian wild ass, caracal, Indian wolf, desert fox, striped hyena and golden jackal besides Asiatic lions and leopards. Other major attractions will include a reptile safari, rainforest biome and an aquarium.Officials said that African desert species will be another major attraction at the proposed zoological park. These will include the Angolan giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, scimitar oryx, African kudu, springbok, black rhinoceros, chimpanzee, meerkat, African cheetah, African lion, fennec fox, bat-eared fox and ostrich.Australian desert species, including kangaroos, emus and wallabies, will also be among the attractions for visitors.Officials said the project will incorporate rainwater harvesting, solar energy, sewage treatment, solid waste management, native plantations and green buffers. With road and railway connectivity and its proximity to destinations such as Ambaji and Nadabet, the desert safari is expected to emerge as a major tourism and wildlife conservation attraction in North Gujarat once completed, said officials.
