West Bengal’s Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick has announced that the forest department is planning to launch the state’s first lion safari in North Bengal. In 2016, The North Bengal Wild Animals Park was established in Siliguri. Spreading over 20 hectares of area, the park now has a Tiger safari as well as a herbivore safari.
Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick said in a statement that the planning for the Lion safari is currently underway, and the state will be approaching Central Zoo Authority for permission by the end of the month.
The state plans to bring at least two pairs of lions and lionesses initially. The safari will spread over 20 hectares, and specially designed 20-seater mini-buses will be allotted for the tourists. A North Bengal Forest official has confirmed that the state’s Forest Department is currently in talks with the Central Zoo Authority to launch the state’s first lion safari in North Bengal.
After permission is obtained from the CZA, lions will be brought in, through other zoos and animal exchange programs. For that, the state will have to spare other animals, that are present in the reserve, in excess.
Since 2019, 11 new tiger cubs were born in the park, although 2 cubs died of health complications shortly after birth. The Tiger safari currently houses 11 tigers and is open to tourists.
The official also added that plans to build a Tiger breeding and conservation centre inside the park are also underway. Upon establishment, West Bengal will be the first state to have both a Tiger and Lion reserve, after Gir national park, in Gujrat.
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