Rs207crore for night safari in Kukrail reserve forest

The UP Budget 2026-27 made a provision of approximately Rs207 crore for the establishment of a night safari in the Kukrail forest area of Lucknow. Out of the Rs631 crore cost of the project's first phase, Rs206 crore was released in the 2025-26 financial year. Now, a provision of over Rs207 crore was made for 2026-27.The night safari in Kukrail reserve forest will be the country's first. Visitors will see the animals in simulated moonlight in the safari while on a tram, which will complete the tour in 40 minutes or so. A moat or a glass wall will separate the area where animals are kept from the passages meant for visitors. Construction at the site will start as soon as approval from the Supreme Court comes. Sources in the forest department said efforts are on to get the approval as soon as possible.Spanning over 855 acres in the north of the Kukrail forest, the Kukrail night safari project has five components. While shifting the Lucknow zoo from its present location to Kukrail is one, building a 4-lane road in front of the safari is another. Constructing a night safari, a day zoo and an ecotourism zone are the other three components. The night safari is proposed over 400 acres, and the day zoo will claim 200 acres in the project. Around 115 species of animals will be on display in the night safari and day zoo at the site. The night safari will have nocturnal species, and the day zoo will have diurnal species. The site will also have 63 state-of-the-art enclosures for animals.Building a recreational area for visitors with green spaces, a cafeteria and basic amenities is also part of the project. The matter was heard by the SC on Aug 29, after which it referred the matter to the central empowered committee (CEC). The CEC gave its recommendations on Nov 27. The final approval will be given by the SC.Kukrail reserve forest is spread over 5,000 hectares. At present, Kukrail has a rehabilitation centre for gharials and serves as a shelter for rescued spotted pond turtles, which it will continue to have. The new project will be situated on the opposite side of the picnic spot in Kukrail.