Spot on! Bannerghatta Biological Park to launch leopard safari to bolster tourism

To enhance tourism in the state capital, the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) is set to introduce a leopard safari by the end of the month.

The Zoo Authority of Karnataka has also approved the construction of aquariums to display both freshwater and saltwater fish.

During the 156th board meeting of the Karnataka Zoo Authority, chaired by Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre, the situation in zoos across the state was reviewed. The board made several decisions aimed at boosting revenue generation.

The leopard safari is in addition to the existing lion and tiger safari. The saltwater and freshwater fish aquariums in the BBP will be developed on a public private partnership (PPP) model. A feasibility report prepared for the aquariums was reviewed and approved with a stress on international guidelines.

The park has 70 leopards, of which 12 will be released into the open enclosure of 50 acres. Besides safety barriers around the enclosure, officials will regularly monitor the animals, sources said.

The authority decided to build an aquarium in an area between the Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens and Karanji Lake in Mysuru. They will select an agency in the next 15 days to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project, a note from the minister’s office said.

Tourists buying camera tickets can opt for combo tickets to shoot photos and videos in both the zoo and lake. The camera combo ticket will cost Rs 150 for still cameras and Rs 300 for video cameras.

The board approved a proposal to allow the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre at the Bannerghatta National Park to operate as a satellite centre of the BBP. This breeding centre is part of a nationwide effort to conserve vulture populations, which have experienced a rapid decline.

The note also mentioned that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will provide drinking water to the animals and visitors at the BBP, as work on the pipeline network was recently completed.

The board resolved to fill the vacancies of veterinarians in the zoos to ensure that wild animals get proper care and steps are taken to avoid infections or deaths.

The Adumalleshwara Mini Zoo, Chitradurga, received post-facto approval for availing the services of local veterinarians.

During the meeting, approval was given to the proposal to extend health benefits to 153 personnel hired directly by the BBP.