Maharashtra: Gorewada zoo project gets final nod from govt – 24, June, 2017

NAGPUR: Proposed 11 years ago to the state as a signature project for Nagpur, the 720-crore Gorewada zoo and animal rescue centre project, may finally get a nod from the Centre by December, a central government official has said.

                            In Maharashtra, the Gorewada Zoo and Animal Rescue Centre Project near Nagpur city worth 540 crore rupees has got final nod from the Union Government. The Forest Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change granted the final clearance for handing over the 564 hectare forest land for this purpose.
AIR correspondent reports that with the final clearance for handing over of the forest land, the Gorewada Zoo Project has got a big push forward. The ambitious project was announced in December 2005 as a signature project for Nagpur. However, the actual process for setting it up started years later in 2011.

                   The original plan is to be executed in four phases over a seven-year period. The project includes Indian and African Safari, Bio-Park and Animal Care and Rescue Centre. Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr. Devendra Fadnavis had already approved up-gradation of 16-Kilometre stretch of roads for the jungle safari in Gorewada Zoo Project. He also gave in-principle clearance to a four-Kilometre long ropeway ride which would be an added attraction of the zoo. Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra, which is the nodal agency for execution of the project, has already received bids for the safari. Spread over 145 hectares, the Indian safari would consist of tiger and leopard safari along with other wild animals. The eco-tourism in Vidarbha region is going to get a big boost through this world-class project coming up in the vicinity of Nagpur city which is also being projected as the Tiger Capital of the country.

• Capital – Mumbai
• Chief Minister – Devendra Fadnavis
• Govrnor – C. Vidyasagar Rao
• Maharashtra Day: 1st May
• Folk dance of Maharashtra: Lavani
• Bombay High Court is the High Court of the state of Maharashtra
• The Chief Justice – Mr. Justice Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani
• Total Number of districts: 36