Rajkot: Rajkot is likely to get its own lion safari park as early as May, with the project being developed by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) nearing completion. Officials said the park is about 90% ready and is expected to open for the summer tourist season.

The safari park is coming up next to Pradhyuman Park Zoo (Rajkot Zoological Park), which already runs conservation and breeding programmes for Asiatic lions and currently houses 14 lions. Spread over about 29 hectares, the project was approved by the Central Zoo Authority in December 2023 after being proposed in the 2023-24 RMC budget.

At present, Sasan Gir Lion Safari is the main attraction for lion viewing, drawing over seven lakh visitors annually, with Rajkot serving as a key gateway due to its air and rail connectivity. Officials said the new safari park will offer an alternative for tourists who fail to get Gir permits during peak seasons such as summer, Diwali and Christmas vacations, and will strengthen the wider Gir tourism circuit.

Municipal Commissioner Tushar Sumera said the project could open by May or June. City Engineer Manoj Srivastava said the compound wall, fencing, night shelters, inspection roads, watchtowers and water points are ready, while work on visitor facilities including the entrance plaza, parking, ticket counters, interpretation centre, lounge and food court is in progress.

Around 7.5 lakh people visit Pradhyuman Park Zoo every year, and officials expect similar footfall at the safari park once it becomes operational. DeshGujarat