Leopard safari in north Bengal

Kolkata, Oct 30: After the immense success of the Bengal Safari Park near Siliguri, the West Bengal Government has now planned to launch a leopard safari at Khairbari Eco Park, adjoining the Jaldapara forest in Madarihat. The safari is going to take place in a 23-acre area. The area has already been identified. Only the permission of the Central Zoo Authority is awaited, which is expected soon. As of now there are eight leopards and a royal Bengal tiger at Khairbari Eco Park. According to an officer of the Forest Department, which is implementing the project, one of the ideas behind creating the leopard safari is attracting visitors to north Bengal during the rainy season, when the core jungle areas remain shut. According to sources in the Forest Department, there are plans to offer wildlife attractions in more areas in north Bengal. UNI