New Delhi/Gandhinagar: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change has given approval to the state government’s proposal to set up a lion safari park at Ambardi in Dhari taluka of Amreli district.

The proposed lion safari at Ambardi interpretation zone, spread in around 400 hectares and situated around 6 km from Dhari,is on the way to Diu, was likely to ease the tourist pressure on Sasan and Devaliya Park situated in Gir-Somnath district during peak season.

The Central Zoo Authority had earlier refused to give permission to it owing to said inadequate fencing works and other technicalities.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani wholeheartedly thanked the Prime Minister and the union Ministry for the approval.

The park at Ambardi will a part of the protected forests. In addition to that, the river Shetrunji will flow through it and it is situated near the Khodiyar dam.

Visitors will now have an option to enjoy the view of lions; either at Gir national park at Sasan or at Ambardi safari park.

It is to be noted here that a long pending request to develop eco-tourism at Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar- Rajkot-Amreli- Dhari-Una- Tulsishyam-Diu route has also been completed due to the approval of this safari park.

DeshGujarat