A brand new safari

They promise you the ride of your life. Through 15 km of lush green forest, with a peek into the habitat of deer, bears, tigers and lions. It''s called the safari experience, unique only to Bangalore.
The herbivore, tiger and lion safari may not be new to the Bannerghatta National Park or its visitors. It''s the opening of the first bear safari that will add a new point of interest to the place.
It''s the first bear safari, not just for BNP, but also for Karnataka. The project, slotted for a November launch, has now been delayed till December. While the idea was originally conceived by Maneka Gandhi two years ago, it''s only now that the project has materialised.
A joint venture of the ministry of social justice and empowerment, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, the bear safari is spread over 30 acres.
Says BMT Rajeev, deputy conservator of forest, BNP, "The safari has been isolated by a dry moat, with a lining of stone slabs so that elephants can''t enter the enclosure."
Three houses, equipped with kitchens and underground sanitation, have been built to accommodate 10 bears each. At present there are 13 bears at BNP. Rajeev explains that there are many bears in the city which belong to madaris, "and once our safari is ready, their licence will be cancelled and the bears will come to us."
Principal chief conservator of forests SK Chakravarthy says that the idea is to give a new look to BNP. "Visitors will be taken through a 15 km route starting at the herbivore safari, moving on to the bear and tiger safari and ending at the lion safari." The entire ride will take about an hour. "It''s most unusual to see such a variety of animals at one place, so close to the city. Till now Mysore Zoo has been the best because of their variety and exhibition," says Chakravarthy.
He says that BNP, however, has an advantage over other zoos because of its area. "We haven''t copied anyone. Our USP is that we have a beautiful stretch of forest. Space is not a constraint here. Therefore, we plan to popularise the safari concept. For all you know in years to come, all animals save snakes will be in safaris."