Transformation underway: Wildlife attractions to be upgraded

Department has been unable to <br /> establish resorts and safaris due to lack of funds.

FAISALABAD: Wildlife and Parks Department Director General Nayyar Iqbal said on Sunday that the government had decided to upgrade facilities at Bahawalpur’s Lal Sohanra National Park, Lahore Zoo and Safari Park to bring them on par with international standards.

He was speaking to journalists. Iqbal said the attractions would be turned into environmentally-friendly and commercially viable resorts and safaris. He said wildlife resorts had the potential to attract international and domestic tourists. Iqbal said this could be a revenue source. He said the department had been unable to establish recreational spots across the province due to lack of funds.

Iqbal said the department had adopted a strategy to upgrade wildlife attractions in the province to attract tourists. He said the project would be carried out in phases. Iqbal said the initiative had been taken to promote recreational activities by providing visitors with adequate amenities.

Iqbal said the department would introduce more human-friendly animals at the spots to attract schoolchildren. He said this was being done to increase their interest in wildlife and educate them.

Iqbal said it had been decided to revamp Lahore Zoo, Lahore Safari Park and Bahawalpur’s Lal Sohanra National Park in the first phase of the strategy. He said the attractions would be transformed into model facilities. Iqbal said they would be equipped with state-of-the-art amenities.

He said the department had contacted a consultancy consortium and international transaction advisers regarding the development of a strategic business plan and the conduction of a feasibility study. Iqbal said the consultants would also devise a strategy to attract investments in wildlife.  He said the Lahore Zoo would be given a facelift under the plan.

Iqbal said the department was conducting a study to survey wildlife sites across the Punjab. He said the survey would also identify potential wildlife attractions in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2014.