Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today said that the Punjab government would develop mini zoo cum Deer Safari at Beer Talab Bathinda as an important tourist destination. In the next phase Tiger Safari would be introduced in the mini zoo, said Mr. Badal.
While interacting with the Media after inaugurating the Mini zoo cum Deer Safari at Bathinda, Mr. Badal along with Member Parliament, Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, said that the government was contemplating to develop this belt of Malwa region as an important tourist destination with main attraction of Deer Safari. He also said that different species of deer and zebra would be brought in the zoo besides other wild animals. This would not only be developed as a zoo but as an educative centre helpful for the students undergoing higher zoological studies.
To bring Malwa belt on the tourist map, Mr. Badal said that in the next phase, the tiger safari would be introduced in the mini zoo and a toy train would also be another attraction for the children, he added. To provide the natural habitat to the wild animals, Mr. Badal also said that the same atmosphere is being created for the animals so that they could live in the environments they are used to. After inaugurating the Zoo, the Badals enjoyed the deer safari in the mini zoo.In order to ensure all the basic necessities to the animals within the walled area of the zoo, Mr. Badal said that the government has spent Rs. 10 crore on good roads, open space for drinking water and rain shelters. Besides an interpretation centre, inspection bunglow and a veterinary hospital within the zoo premises were also being set up.
Beautifully landscaped park would have a bagichi in an area of 30, 000 sq.ft , big cages spread over 50,000 sq.ft, storage capacity of 2000 sq.mt for the feed of the animals, 22000 sq. mts. passages are also being developed . Total land of 30 acres has been covered under the mini zoo while 115 acres of land has been brought under deer safari, said Mr. Badal. Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Mr. Sarup Chand Singla, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Darshan Singh Kotfatta, MLA, Mr. Kamal Kishore Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, District Police Chief and Assistant Media Advisor to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Harjinder Sidhu.