West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee laid the foundation stone of the unique North Bengal Wild Animals Park on Thursday near Siliguri enroute to Darjeeling. The park will be developed at a cost of Rs 250 crore.
Two years from now, animals will roam around freely in open spaces of about 297 hectares and can be seen by visitors during safari rides in special vehicles.
‘It is indeed good news for our nature and wildlife lovers and tourists of the country and abroad who can enjoy African Safari experience’, Banerjee said on her Facebook page.
Drinking water is scarce in Darjeeling. From January to May and during peak tourist seasons, the town faces acute water scarcity. ‘We have set up a Water Supply Project from river Balason. Today (Thursday), I have commissioned the project’, Banerjee said.
Water from this project will be supplied to Darjeeling town and surrounding areas through pipe network which will be set up very soon. At the moment, the existing pipeline will be used for enhanced water supply, she explained.
For convenience of tea garden workers as also other workers of North Bengal, the chief minister set up a North Bengal Office – ‘Shram Bhaban’ of the Labour Department.