Karnataka to relocate Bellary zoo near Hampi

Source: DHNS

Karnataka will soon come up with a world-class zoo near heritage site Hampi by relocating the Bellary zoo, officials said.

The zoo in Bellary would be relocated to a new site, next to Hampi, in Kamalapura reserve forest in Hospet Taluk as conditions for animals and birds are not ideal there, Karnataka's Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests M N Jayakumar told PTI. "Government of India has already given its approval for this new zoo to be built with an investment of nearly Rs 70 crore and for which construction will begin very soon," said Jayakumar, who is also Member-Secretary of Zoo Authority of Karntaka. The new zoo with larger space for animals will be easily accessible for tourists coming to Hampi, he said.

[Hampi] Rs. 300 crore for Vijayanagar theme park

Source: The Hindu

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said on Thursday that he would earmark Rs. 100 crore in the forthcoming budget for the theme park on the Vijayanagar empire planned by the Government to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the coronation of Sri Krishnadevaraya.

“I wish to release Rs. 300 crore to the Vijayanagar Pratishthan, which has been entrusted with the task of setting up the theme park at Kamalapur, adjacent to Hampi, for which the former Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, laid the foundation stone during last year's celebrations.

The Rs. 100 crore to be set aside in this year's budget will be continued for the next two years,” he added after inaugurating the Hampi Utsav here on Thursday.

Stating that the Vijayanagar empire had a distinct place in Indian history, he said that Sri Krishnadevaraya had a special place among its rulers with his multifaceted personality as a warrior, administrator, patron of art, culture and literature. “Is a great honour for us to establish a theme park on the glorious past of the Vijayanagar period at Hampi and make it a major tourist attraction. I appeal to G. Janardhan Reddy and his colleagues to commence the work on the theme park immediately and complete it at the earliest. I promise to set aside Rs. 100 crore every year in the budget for the next two years,” he said.

Powet Chennaveera Kanavi, Sri Vidyaranya Bharati Swami of Vidyaranya Peetha of Hampi, and Ministers Govind Karjol and V.S. Achar were present.

Hampi to get zoo

Source: DHNS

Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy said on Friday that the State Government would develop world heritage site Hampi as a major tourist destination with a 'Rs 100-crore zoo in 1,000 acres in Hampi being the star attraction.

Reddy told reporters that the government had set up Vijayanagar Area Development Authority (VADA) for overall development of Hampi and surrounding areas.

A unique programme ‘Hampi by night’ - to take tourists around Hampi by walk would be launched soon. The programme includes four sound and light shows.

The Zoo Authority of India had given its clearance for setting up of a zoo in Hampi. The government would be investing about 75 crore on the project. The minister said soon after assuming office in the Yeddyurappa Cabinet he had assured the Bellary people that he would develop the district such a way that it should attract attention globally.

“Now all major steel industries of the world are setting up their units in Bellary. In a couple of years from now Bellary will become the global hub of steel,” he said.

The VADA will develop 530 sq km area as a major industrial hub. It would serve as a major centre for all types of industrial activities including providing infrastructure facilities and logistics. The Cabinet would clear the project soon, he added.