In its bid to protect forests, the Government has taken a conscious decision to establish an International Standard Zoo and Biopark on the forest land at Gorewada, Nagpur. Expressing India’s continued commitment towards protecting forests and wildlife, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar stated, “The Gorewada International Zoo will have attractions like Bio Park, Indian Safari, African Safari, Night Safari, Research, Education and Training, facilities for tourists, etc”.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2019
The Government of Maharashtra has accorded permission for establishing the International Zoo, through Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (FDCM. Ltd.), Nagpur. Amongst other decisions, formation of Special Purpose Vehicle of FDCM. Ltd and a Joint Venture Company of private investors under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode of financing with government stake at 51% was approved. The Goverment has agreed to provide Viability Gap Funding (V.G.F) of Rs. 200 crore.
The tasks of protection of forests and wildlife at the Gorewada forests and wildlife habitat development have been assigned to FDCM Ltd., for which State Forest Department is providing grants and manpower at the disposal of FDCM Ltd.
The task of construction of Indian Safari and ancillary activities, Water Reservoir and Gorewada Reserve has been given to FDCM Ltd. with Government Grants.
