Statue of Unity: river rafting facility launched, world-class zoo to come up soon near the site

A world-class zoo is all set to come up near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Narmada district. As per latest news reports, the zoo will be ready before the end of October next year.

Referring to this, Rajiv Gupta, additional chief secretary and Managing Director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, said that the zoo is part of the plan to make Kevadiya, where the statue is situated, a popular tourist spot. Officials in the know-how said that the Central Zoo Authority has already given in-principle approval for the plan.
As per the latest news reports, the zoo will be developed across 1300 ac over seven levels; and will be home to leopards, tigers, lions, 12 types of deer, and antelopes, rhinos, giraffes, bisons, and other animals too. Gupta also mentioned that setting up Sardar Patel Zoological Park is also in line with the Prime Minister’s wish to develop this region as a popular tourist spot.
Recently, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani inaugurated the state’s first river rafting activity at Khalwani in Narmada district. Khalwani is situated near Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada, which is also home to world’s tallest statue―the Statue of Unity. As per sources from the state government, river rafting activity will be possible here throughout the year because of regular flow of 600 cusecs of water at Khalwani. The facility developed with the help of experts from Uttarakhand, will reportedly open for public from September 1. With the coming up of this facility, it is expected that adventure lovers will no longer have to travel to Kashmir, Uttarakhand, or Himachal to experience river rafting.