Government plans to clear decks for Etawah Safari

LUCKNOW: Etawah lion safari, the ambitious project of the previous Akhilesh Yadav government, is likely to be opened for public, soon. State government will hold a meeting on August 8 to decide on the probable date of inauguration for the safari and future plans for the project.
The Etawah safari is the first in the country to also have a lion breeding centre. Spread over 350 hectare, it is also the biggest 'extended' zoo in the state.
It was recognised as a zoo by Central Zoo Authority in November last year, after which forest department had sent the proposal to the previous Akhilesh government to inaugurate the safari.But as the Samajwadi Party rule came to an end amidst a family feud, the project could not be inaugurated, said sources.
This will be the first time the BJP government will hold a meeting to take stock of the previous regime's pet project which was conceptualised in 2005 when Mulayam Singh Yadav was the chief minister.
At present, visitors may not get to see lions as the breeding centre has yet to raise 10 lion cubs, the minimum requisite number fixed by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), but the deer, antelope and bear safari terrains are ready. Leopard safari would come up soon, said sources. While the service provider for the safari has been hired by the government, it also has most of the infrastructure, including the 3D theatre, ready. As per sources, the safari may have some of the most popular food-chains and joints setting up business.