Rs 180-cr night safari at Bannerghatta Park soon

Rs 180-cr night safari at Bannerghatta Park soon



Express News Service First Published : 15 May 2009 09:00:36 AM ISTLast Updated : 15 May 2009 10:44:06 AM IST
BANGALORE: Going all-natural and promoting conservation seems to be the mantra for the proposed night safari at Bannerghatta Biological Park.
The safari, which would be the first of its kind in the state, will have features such as camouflaged settings and artificial waterways to create a completely natural feel.
In addition to the main trail, there will be rugged terrains which tourists can explore on their own. For the first time, elephant safari will also be introduced here at night.
Conservation will be promoted through rainwater harvesting, use of renewable energy sources and recycling waste.
The safari will also be a platform to create awareness on nature conservation through its nature shops and amphitheatre shows.
“The trails will be complete with wooden culverts, suspension bridge and boulder climbing. Diffused moonlighting will be used effectively to hide barriers, creating the natural ambience of a forest.
The lighting will be in such a way that the tourists will not be visible to animals,” according to a preliminary report on the safari compiled by Jungle Lodges.
Work on the safari will begin this June and the estimated cost is Rs 180 crore.
So far, there are only five locations in Asia that facilitate night safari.
According to N D Tiwari, Managing Director of Jungle Lodges, 60 hectares of the total 100 hectares of Reserved Forest can be effectively covered in the safari.
Battery-operated trams with a capacity of 40 each will be used at the interval of every 10 minutes. The trams will be painted like the coat of some animal, so that it blends with the surroundings.
“The natural habitats of the animals will be left undisturbed, but we plan to introduce exotic species to make the safari more interesting.
Natural vegetation will be regenerated along the trail to create interesting silhouettes with the lighting,” said Tiwari.
While larger animals in enclosures can be viewed from within the tram, tourists are allowed to see smaller animals up-close.
African lion, elephant, zebra, ostrich, black buck, Nilgiri langur would be some of the species in the park.