Project to be biggest propeller for wildlife tourism
sector & economy of Punjab: Navjot Singh Sidhu
· Project
coming up at a cost of Rs. 7.90 crore
· Navjot
Singh Sidhu adopts a pair of White Tigers named ‘Aman’ & ‘Dia’
· A
state of the art aquarium in pipeline at a cost of Rs. 5 crore
· 9
lakh tourists visited Chhatbir Zoo in 2018-19; Target is 10 lakh
· Theme
based entrance, Food Plaza, Children's Park, Interpretation Centre,
Exhibition Hall & Audio Visual room main attractions Tourism & Cultural Affairs
Minister carries out comprehensive review
National Tele24 News
Viany Kumar
Chandigarh
"The Punjab Heritage & Tourism
Promotion Board of the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, Punjab, has
gone big time for development and expansion of visitor’s facilities at Chhatbir
Zoo so as to ensure that it becomes a big attraction for the tourists. The
project being executed under the Infrastructure Development Investment Program
for Tourism (IDIPT) with the financial assistance of the Asian Development Bank
(ADB) is in the final stages and once complete it would be a game changer and a
major money spinner for the wildlife tourism sector of Punjab and would be
biggest propeller for the economy of the state. The project would be completed
by the 26th January, 2019 and would be formally inaugurated by
the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh." This was disclosed by the
Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu here
today at the Chhatbir Zoo while interacting with the mediapersons after
carrying out a comprehensive review of the project. He further said that the
project has come up at a cost of Rs. 7.90 crore.” Mr. Sidhu also conducted a tour of the zoo on the occasion and
announced the adoption of a pair (Male and Female) of White Tigers named Aman
and Dia. Not only this, the minister also announced that a state of the art
aquarium at a cost of Rs. 5 crore is very much in the pipeline. He also
inaugurated a bus today which is prepared by the department and which would be parked
at the places where cultural functions are held so as to ensure that people get
to know about the rich cultural as well as historical heritage of the state. Divulging
more details regarding the facilities at the zoo, the minister said that an
entrance gate designed with theme of conservation of wildlife has been provided
and further rmore, A tree with profile of animals has been provided over the
main gate. The Ticket counter has also been designed keeping in view the
natural surroundings. Besides this, A holistic food plaza having provision for
4 multi branded food kiosks with outdoor and roof top sitting has been
provided. Apart from this, An interpretation has also been constructed having a
lobby, 2 Exhibition halls, An Audio Visual room and Toilets for ladies &
Gents. Listing more unique features about the project, Mr. Sidhu said that 10
visitor shelters have been provided at various locations along the internal
roads in the zoo besides carpeting of internal with interlocking pavers on
shoulders for a length on 3.50 Kilometres. Not only this but the existing lake
has been rejuvenated by waterproofing the base to check loss of water due to
seepage. A waterfall has been provided on the central island. The Children's
park with the theme of Jungle Training and adventure sports facility has been
provided in the zoo. Mr. Sidhu further added that after the efforts of the present state
government the footfall to the zoo has witnessed upswing by 60 percent with 9
lakh tourists visiting the place in 2018-19 which is an increase of more than 3
lakhs as the number earlier was 5 and half lakhs. He said the target is to take
this number to 10 lakhs. Elaborating his futuristic vision in terms of tourism,
the minister said that Rs. 5 crore to 10 crore would be spent on adding more
facilities to the chhatbir zoo. He also said that 35 major tourist sites are
under prime focus to be developed as world class tourist destinations. The
sarais would be turned into wedding destinations and old palaces would be
turned into 5 star hotels. Announcing further, he said that a floating
restaurant at Harike is also in his scheme of things. These initiatives, said
the minister, would lead to a grand increase in the revenue. Among others
present on the occasion included Principal Secretary, Tourism and Cultural
Affairs, Mr. Vikas Pratap, Director Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mr. Malwinder
Singh Jaggi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Mr. Kuldip
Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Mr Basanta RajKumar, Field Director
of the Chhatbir Zoo Dr. M. Sudhagar, Range Officer Mr. Harpal Singh, OSD to Mr.
Sidhu Mr. Rupinder Singh Sandhu, Advisor to Mr. Sidhu Mr. Angad Singh Sohi,
Project Coordinator (Administration) Mr. S.P.S. Dhindsa, Chief General Manager
Mr. Yogesh Gupta and the Chief Engineer Mr. Prem Gupta.
