New dimensions to Etawah lion safari project

LUCKNOW: Sighting an ostrich in Etawah might not be possible for wildlife enthusiasts right now, but with the state government planning to give the upcoming lion safari project in the area a bigger dimension, species like ostriches and zebras will be spotted there soon.

Wildlife parks for other species would be an added attraction at lion safari.

Consultations are on with safari managers from Gujarat, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh to find viable and sustainable ways to introduce alien species in Etawah's terrain, which comprises mainly ravines.

The Rs 40-crore project is also in for cost escalation with government diversifying the lion breeding centre and lion safari project.

'' There is no doubt the project has a much bigger dimension than a normal safari,'' said principal secretary Forest, V N Garg.

Etawah, in fact, will have more spots of wildlife attractions than a single lion safari. Yamuna and Chambal rivers make it a fit spot for aquatic wildlife and government will focus on boosting eco-tourism around such spots. '' It will be done with the conservation angle attached to it,'' said the official.

A 350 years old Shiva temple and an old fort at Bhare at the confluence of Yamuna and Chambal, if revived, will be a tourist attraction. Panchnada, which is a confluence of five rivers south of Etawah, is a rich habitat for dolphins.

Towards north of Etawah, Kachaura ghat on Yamuna is an important bird area. Sarsainawar, a bird sanctuary with lot of sarus cranes and other local and migratory birds, could be an added attraction. Saifai, around 50 kms from Etawah, is an important sarus habitat. But, there is a need to supplement the spots by means of transport and public facilities.