VIJAYAWADA: With the State government keen on developing a zoological park and night safari in the capital region at the earliest, the Forest Department has constituted a technical committee to examine if the Tadepalli Reserve Forest area would be an ideal spot for the project. Though the committee has been directed to submit its report in 30 days, the project may take up to six months to attain a concrete shape.
“A seven-member committee has been constituted to see if the identified land is suitable for the project. The panel is expected to meet in a week to discuss modalities. We will conduct a check and inform the government if it is appropriate. The government will, in turn, seek approvals from the Central Zoo Authority of India and National Green Tribunal,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and in-charge Head of Forest Forces Md Iliyas Rizvi told TNIE.
Rizvi, who is also a member of the committee, added that seeking approvals may take about three months once the land is finalised.
The government had scouted for lands in Kondapalli, Kondaveedu and other spots in the capital region to set up the zoological park, night safari and an arboretum (botanical park). However, after Amaravati Development Corporation managing director and chairperson D Lakshmi Parthasarathi suggested that a venture be developed atop a hillock in Tadepalli, the department decided to set up a committee to examine the area.
About 500-600 acres has been identified atop the hillock. “Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has asked us to take up the project on a war-footing. So, we will immediately look for alternative options if at all the Tadepalli area is found to be unfeasible,” Rizvi added.