Rajkot: Rajkot is likely to get its own lion safari park as early as May, if everything goes to plan. The project, being developed by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC), is about 90% complete and is expected to open in time for the summer tourist season.The safari park is coming up next to Pradhyuman Park Zoo, also known as Rajkot Zoological Park, which already runs conservation and breeding programmes for Asiatic lions and currently houses 14 lions. Covering 30 hectares, the safari park was approved by the Central Zoo Authority in Dec 2023 after being proposed in the 2023-24 RMC budget.Currently, the most popular destination for lion viewing is the Sasan Gir Lion Safari, which attracts over seven lakh visitors every year. Rajkot serves as the gateway city for tourists heading to Gir because of its air and rail connectivity.The Rajkot safari park is expected to offer an alternative for tourists who are unable to secure permits for Sasan Gir during peak periods such as summer, Diwali and Christmas vacations. Visitors may choose to visit the Rajkot safari first and then travel onward to Junagadh and Gir Somnath, which are part of the broader Gir tourism circuit.According to municipal commissioner Tushar Sumera, the project is nearing completion and could open by May or June. City engineer Manoj Srivastava said the compound wall, chain-link fencing, night shelters, inspection roads, watchtowers and water points have already been completed.“Work is still ongoing on visitor facilities,such as the entrance plaza, parking area, ticket counters, interpretation centre, waiting lounge and food court. Some recreational amenities are also under development” said Srivastava.The safari has been designed to simulate the natural habitat of the Gir forest. RMC has developed a dense urban forest to offer visitors an experience similar to Gir.With around 7.5 lakh visitors already visiting Pradhyuman Park Zoo each year, officials expect a comparable number to visit the new safari park once it becomes operational. The additional facility is also expected to ease pressure on Sasan Gir.Gujarat currently offers lion safari experiences at Sasan, Devaliya and Barda, and the Rajkot safari park will further expand these options.
