Karnataka’s newest zoo — the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park — and a herbivore safari will open at Kamalapura, near Hampi in Ballari district on November 3. The inauguration will coincide with the Hampi Utsav celebrations.
The existing Ballari mini-zoo will be shut once this zoo opens. Technically, the Ballari mini-zoo is being shifted to a new location, according to the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The zoo and safari have been developed over an area of 145 hectares.
The zoo has come up on a 40-hectare space and the herbivore safari will be spread over 30 acres. The remaining areas will be reserved for a tiger safari, expected to be ready by January. Kamalapura is about 8 km from Hampi, and Hampi Kannada University is also located nearby.
Zoo Authority of Karnataka member-secretary B.P. Ravi, who is also Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, said the new zoo and safari would be opened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on November 3. Forest Minister Ramanath Rai and other dignitaries are also expected to be present.
There is huge potential to develop the upcoming park into a major tourist centre as Hampi is an international tourist destination. The new safaris will also serve as education centres for wildlife conservation, with a lot of tourists expected to visit them as part of their Hampi tour itinerary.
Over the years, the new zoo will be developed on the lines of Mysuru zoo. The tiger safari is scheduled to become functional by January with Mysuru zoo and the Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru agreeing to spare tigers, Mr. Ravi said.
Some animals such as blackbucks and spotted deer from the Ballari mini-zoo will be shifted to the new zoo. Mysuru zoo has gifted neelgais to the zoo.
The CZA has approved the master plan and animal collection plan for the Hampi herbivore safari. Animals such as spotted deer, sambar and barking deer will be sighted during the safari.
