The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) on Friday informed the Karnataka High Court that it had approved the night safari, the butterfly park and other plans to develop Bannerghatta National Park on the city's outskirts.
The court was dealing with a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by B.R. Deepak against the Forest Department's decision to start a night safari and a butterfly park at Bannerghatta National Park.
The CZA, in its affidavit filed before the court, said it backed the proposed night safari in a portion of the national park which does not come in the way of the elephant corridor.
Earlier, the State submitted a master plan layout of the night safari.
In its statement of objections, the State said a special purpose vehicle (SPV), called Bannerghatta Night Safari Limited, had been constituted which would have a debt equity ratio of 60:40, with the State contributing Rs. 106 crore and the remaining (Rs. 72 crore) coming from loans.
Of the 10,275 hectares forming the National Park, only 732 would be utilised for the night safari. The Wildlife Protection Act would not be applicable to the 732 hectares, the State said.
A Division Bench adjourned further hearing of the case.
