- 103-hectare Desert Zoological Park gets CZA approval; 2,700 animals and birds across nearly 83 species planned
- Five dedicated night-safari enclosures to bring nocturnal wildlife alive after sunset
- Native desert fauna to share space with African and Australian species, raising the bar—and conservation questions
- Rainwater harvesting, solar power, sewage treatment and green buffers built into project design
- Conservation breeding, rescue, rehabilitation and environmental education positioned alongside tourism
NE ENVIRONMENT & TOURISM BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, AUG 12
When the desert becomes the backdrop, the real test is whether tourism can remain a guest of nature—not its master. Gujarat is now preparing to turn 103 hectares of government land at Juna Deesa in Banaskantha into an ambitious wildlife-and-tourism destination, after the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) cleared the proposed Desert Zoological Park and Drive-through Night Safari, estimated to cost ₹542.14 crore.
The project promises a striking mix: native desert wildlife, African and Australian species, a day zoo, five night-safari enclosures, reptile safari, rainforest biome, aquarium, butterfly park and conservation facilities—all wrapped in a desert-themed landscape.
But the scale and species diversity also put a larger question in the spotlight: Can a purpose-built zoo and night safari genuinely become a conservation engine while ensuring that animal welfare, ecological suitability and natural behaviour remain ahead of visitor spectacle?
The CZA itself has dedicated guidelines for night safaris in recognised Indian zoos, requiring operations to prioritise animal welfare and natural activity patterns while complying with the Wildlife (Protection) Act and the broader regulatory framework for zoos.
A desert dream gets the green signal
Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the project would be developed on about 103 hectares of government land at Juna Deesa in accordance with CZA guidelines.
“The proposed Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari is being developed over about 103 hectares of government land at Juna Deesa. The project has been prepared in accordance with Central Zoo Authority guidelines and has an estimated cost of Rs 542.14 crore. It has now received approval from the Central Zoo Authority,” he said.
Minister of State for Forests and Environment Pravin Mali, who represents the Deesa Assembly constituency, said the facility had been conceived as a modern conservation centre rather than merely a visitor attraction.
“The project will not only provide visitors with a unique wildlife experience but will also serve as a centre for conservation breeding, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, environmental education and scientific interpretation of nature,” Mali said.
He added: “One of the main attractions of the project will be its international-standard Night Safari, where visitors will be able to observe nocturnal animals in specially designed enclosures after sunset. The project will also include a separate day zoo and five dedicated Night Safari enclosures.”
When the desert meets Africa and Australia
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat, Dr Jaipal Singh, said the park would be designed around a desert ecosystem with natural arid landscapes.
The proposed Indian species include chinkara, blackbuck, Indian wild ass, Asiatic lion, leopard, Indian porcupine, Indian hare, hedgehog, desert hare, sloth bear, caracal, Indian wolf, golden jackal, striped hyena and Indian desert fox.
The international component is equally expansive. African species proposed include Angolan giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, scimitar oryx, African kudu, springbok, addra gazelle, black rhinoceros, chimpanzee, meerkat, African cheetah, African lion, fennec fox, bat-eared fox and ostrich, while kangaroos, emus and wallabies are among the Australian species proposed.
Singh said: “The zoo will also have separate enclosures for herbivores and carnivores, an aviary, a reptile house, a butterfly park, an interpretation centre, a food court, a souvenir shop, golf cart services and other visitor facilities.”
The project will also feature a reptile safari, rainforest biome and aquarium, creating an unusually broad ecological canvas within a desert-themed facility.
The conservation question: Wildlife or wildlife spectacle?
The project’s conservation promise will inevitably be judged not merely by its number of species but by how effectively it protects animal welfare and natural behaviour.
Conservation concerns surrounding nocturnal exhibits are not new. In an earlier debate over nocturnal animal facilities, veterinarian Dr Ashish Sutar of PETA India warned that forcing nocturnal animals into visitor-friendly schedules could impose considerable stress because it conflicts with their natural body clocks.
The issue is particularly relevant to a night safari because the entire attraction depends on displaying animals after sunset. CZA’s current guidelines, however, specifically envisage night safaris as guided visits in naturalistic enclosures under artificial illumination, with animal welfare and natural activity patterns explicitly prioritised.
Gujarat has also previously confronted questions over the suitability of imported exotic animals. At the Statue of Unity Jungle Safari, wildlife activists raised concerns after several imported animals died, with one senior animal activist warning that translocation of exotic species into controlled environments required deeper study of whether the animals could adapt to local conditions.
That history makes species selection, climate adaptation, veterinary preparedness, enclosure design and long-term survival rates crucial benchmarks for the proposed Juna Deesa facility.
Green technology inside the wildlife blueprint
Chief Conservator of Forests, Gandhinagar Wildlife Circle, Aradhana Sahu, said environmental safeguards had been incorporated into the project.
“The project will incorporate green technologies such as rainwater harvesting, a sewage treatment plant, solid waste management systems, solar energy, native plantations and green buffer zones to minimise its environmental impact,” she said.
Forest officials said Juna Deesa was selected because of its contiguous 103 hectares, natural sand dunes, proximity to the Banas River and road and railway connectivity.
That location could give the project a strategic tourism advantage, connecting Banaskantha’s emerging tourism circuit with destinations such as Vadnagar, Ambaji and Nadabet.
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Banaskantha Wildlife Division, Popattrao Garrdi, said the project could substantially strengthen the region’s tourism infrastructure.
“Once completed, it will emerge as a flagship wildlife conservation and eco-tourism destination,” he said.
A new wildlife magnet for North Gujarat
The Juna Deesa project comes as Gujarat seeks to broaden its wildlife tourism footprint beyond its established icons such as Gir and the Little Rann of Kutch.
Its proposition is distinctly different: a desert-themed conservation and education centre combining indigenous fauna with carefully managed international species, while offering visitors an after-dark safari experience.
The project’s success, however, will ultimately be measured by more than visitor numbers. Conservation breeding, rescue and rehabilitation outcomes, animal welfare, ecological suitability, scientific research, environmental education and transparent monitoring will determine whether the ₹542.14-crore investment becomes a genuine conservation asset.
For Gujarat, Juna Deesa could therefore become much more than another tourism destination. It could become a test case for whether a desert can host a modern wildlife experience without losing sight of the wild itself.
