If you are considering a trip to Jaipur this winter, you are in for an exciting experience. Nahargarh Biological Park is introducing the newest attraction in Jaipur in the form of a tiger safari which promises to enthrall wildlife aficionados. The safari was inaugurated on October 7 by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, signifying a significant advancement in the state's wildlife conservation initiatives.
Situated on the outskirts of Jaipur near Amer along the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, this wildlife park presents a unique opportunity for nature enthusiasts to explore the park and have some tiger sightings. The initial phase will introduce three big cats into the safari area: tigress Bhakti from Pune, Chameli and Gulab from Nagpur. To facilitate this experience, the safari area will accommodate four tourist vehicles, each equipped with secure safety cages, providing visitors with an up-close encounter with these majestic tigers. The safari project was developed at a cost of INR 4.5 crore.
The Nahargarh Biological Park, sprawling over an extensive 720 hectares, currently houses a lion safari that covers an area of approximately 30 hectares. The entry fee for Nahargarh Biological Park is INR 200 per person. "The safari area spans 32 hectares and has been designed with figure-eight tracks, making it easy for vehicles to navigate while offering excellent viewing opportunities," said an official. "Each vehicle has a seating capacity of 20, and the safari will last one hour." The region is fenced and enclosed, and boasts ten resting shelters for tigers, as well as a mix of three temporary and two permanent water bodies.
The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) and the Forest Department have partnered to bring the Tiger Safari project to fruition. Additionally, the JDA has successfully developed two new parks in the Jaipur district: Nagar Van in Zerota and Biodiversity Park near Nevta.
According to reports, the anticipated addition of a tiger safari will substantially increase the number of tourists visiting the park. This development is expected to elevate the Pink City's status to a global hub for wildlife safaris. Significantly, in addition to the existing leopard, elephant, and lion safaris, Jaipur can now showcase a tiger safari, further enhancing its appeal to wildlife enthusiasts. This means that tourists and residents will have the opportunity to effortlessly partake in the experience of observing big cats in their natural habitat within the Nahargarh forests.
In his speech, Chief Minister Sharma underscored the tremendous significance of Wildlife Week, emphasising the need to protect and preserve our natural world for the well-being of future generations. He called upon young individuals to actively participate in conservation endeavours, announcing that students would receive complimentary entry to Nahargarh Biological Park as part of the Wildlife Week activities.
Sharma lauded Rajasthan for its unwavering dedication to wildlife conservation, emphasising that the state currently hosts four biological parks, three national parks, 26 wildlife sanctuaries, and 36 conservation reserves. As a result of these tireless efforts, the state now proudly sustains a population of around 130 tigers.