Gorewada Zoo's ₹285 Crore Safari Project Underway

An African Safari is set to launch soon at the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park in Nagpur, formerly known as Gorewada Zoo. Spanning approximately 63 hectares, the safari will showcase around 22 African species and is being developed at an estimated cost of ₹285 crore.

Planned for completion within 18 months, the project aims to transform the zoo into a leading destination for wildlife tourism, education, and conservation. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Maharashtra Forest Department and NBCC (India) in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik. Key dignitaries present at the signing ceremony at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai included K.P.M. Swamy (Chairman and MD of NBCC), Pravin Doiphode (Executive Director), Naresh Zhurmure (Managing Director, Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation), and Chandrasekaran Bala (CEO, FDCM Gorewada Zoo Ltd.).

The African Safari will feature both open-range and island habitats, offering visitors the opportunity to observe species such as African lions, white rhinoceroses, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, chimpanzees, and giraffes in environments designed to mimic their natural ecosystems.

This initiative not only enhances India’s wildlife tourism potential but also strengthens efforts in biodiversity conservation and environmental education, positioning Gorewada as the country’s largest zoological park built to international standards.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.