Provincial Minister for Forests and Wildlife Malik Muhammad Asif Bha Awan and Member National Assembly Muhammad Afzal Khokhar have said that Jashn-i-Baharan will be celebrated at Lahore Safari Zoo Park in the first week of March. They said that land has been identified for setting up of wildlife park at Sahiwal and transferred to Wildlife Department. They said that work will be started on the master plan immediately after approval is given by the chief minister.
This was decided in a special meeting held at Forest Complex on Tuesday. Member Provincial Assembly Saira Iftikhar, Vice Chancellor University of Animal Sciences Prof. Talat Naseer Pasha, Director General Wildlife and Parks Khalid Ayaz Khan, Managing Director Tourism Development Corporation Punjab Ahmer Malik, Chief Game Warden Punjab Shahrukh Butt, Director Lahore Zoo Shafqat Ali, Deputy Director Safari Zoo Park Lahore Syed Zafar ul-Hassan and Deputy Director Wildlife Jallo Park as well as officers concerned were present. The meeting was informed that wildlife park will be set up over 222 acres land in Yousafwala area of Sahiwal. The meeting was informed that various functions will be held at Safari Zoo Park in connection with Jashn-ie-Baharan and these celebrations will be continued for one week. These functions include folk music, shaam-e-ghazal, traditional luddi dance, photography, paintings, essay writing, speech competitions and pet shows.
Director General Wildlife and Parks Khalid Ayaz Khan said that instructions have been issued to district administration throughout the province to identify state land for setting up of wildlife parks and they will submit their report till February 1. He said that the estimated cost for the purchase of new animals for zoo has been sent to Planning and Development and Finance Departments. He said that work is speedily in progress for the construction of play land, cafeteria, food court besides preparation of cages of animals in Safari Park. He said that 50 special effects theatre will also be set up at play land whereas monorail, bullet train, jet ride and kids driving school will be included in the play land.
The meeting also reviewed in detail the affairs of Lahore Zoo, Safari Zoo Park, Drive in Zoo Jallo Park and issued instructions for enhancing facilities. A presentation was also given about by the heads of constructing modern play-land, cafeteria and food court at Safari Zoo Park.
