Gujarat's Deesa to get Asia's first desert-themed night safari & zoo

Gandhinagar: Following approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Deesa in Gujarat's Banaskantha district is set to become home to Asia's first desert-themed drive-through night safari and zoological park.

Gujarat forest minister Arjun Modhwadia said, "The proposed Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari is being developed over about 103 hectares of government land at Juna Deesa. The project has been prepared in accordance with Central Zoo Authority guidelines and has an estimated cost of ₹542.14 crore. It has now received approval from the CZA."

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According to the state government, the park is planned to house around 2,700 native and exotic animals and birds representing nearly 83 species. Its central attraction will be an international-standard night safari, allowing visitors to observe nocturnal wildlife. The project will also include a separate day zoo and five dedicated night safari enclosures.

According to Dr Jaipal Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat, "The park has been designed around a desert ecosystem featuring natural arid landscapes. The zoo will include species such as chinkara, blackbuck, Indian wild ass, Asiatic lion and leopard, along with several other desert animals."

"The zoo will also have separate enclosures for herbivores and carnivores, an aviary, a reptile house, a butterfly park, an interpretation centre, a food court, a souvenir shop, golf cart services and other visitor facilities," he added.

The zoo will house several Indian desert animal species, including the Indian porcupine, Indian hare, hedgehog, desert hare, Indian wild ass, sloth bear, Indian caracal, Indian wolf, golden jackal, striped hyena and Indian desert fox, among others. Other major attractions will include a reptile safari, rainforest biome and aquarium.

African desert species will be another major attraction at the park. These will include the Angolan giraffe, Grevy's zebra, scimitar oryx, African kudu, springbok, addra gazelle, black rhinoceros, chimpanzee, meerkat, African cheetah, African lion, fennec fox, bat-eared fox and ostrich. Australian desert species, including kangaroos, emus and wallabies, will also be among the attractions for visitors.