Rajkot: After nearly four decades, Gujarat is set to add a new zoo to its wildlife infrastructure — and notably, not within an urban sprawl but inside the natural setting of a sanctuary. The Gujarat forest department is firming up plans to establish a zoo in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Porbandar district, an area that is rapidly emerging as a new habitat for Asiatic lions. The proposed facility, to be developed on about 250 ha near Timbdi village, will complement the lion safari that began operations in Oct 2024 and has already drawn encouraging tourist response. Forest officials say funds for the project have been allotted and the proposal is awaiting approval from the Central Zoo Authority.What makes the project distinctive is its location: close to Porbandar, the birthplace of the apostle of peace, Mahatma Gandhi, and within a sanctuary landscape rather than a city park. The region has witnessed a natural lion corridor and subsequent conservation efforts that have helped build a viable population of big cats. From the initial arrival of a lone lion and the later introduction of five lionesses, the population has grown to 17 lions, including 11 cubs born within the sanctuary. Wildlife experts say the groundwork for this expansion was laid earlier through the establishment of a sambar and spotted deer breeding centre in 2014, which created a strong prey base for the predators.The upcoming facility is planned as a comprehensive eco-tourism and conservation hub. Apart from the zoo, the project blueprint includes a rescue and rehabilitation centre, an interpretation zone and visitor facilities such as a souvenir shop. Authorities are also planning a jungle safari modelled on the popular Devaliya near Gir, allowing visitors to observe lions and other animals in their natural surroundings from safari vehicles.Significantly, Gujarat’s last public zoo was built nearly 40 years ago in Surat — the Sarthana Nature Park and Zoo, established in the mid-1980s. Tourism CircuitThe Barda initiative is expected to anchor a new tourism circuit linking Porbandar, Madhavpur beach and Dwarka, one of Gujarat’s most visited pilgrimage destinations that already attracts nearly 10 lakh visitors annually. With improved connectivity through rail, airport facilities in Porbandar and plans for a new airport near Dwarka, officials believe the new zoo and safari could divert a significant share of tourists to Barda, adding a major new attraction to Gujarat’s wildlife and tourism landscape that currently revolves around circuits such as Junagadh–Sasan–Somnath–Dwarka.
