Madhya Pradesh : Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav emphasized the state government’s commitment to promoting tourism, with a particular focus on wildlife tourism. He announced plans to develop Wildlife Centre-cum-Rescue Centres in Ujjain and Jabalpur, with consultants already appointed for the projects. Additionally, two more wildlife centres are set to be established in the state.
Addressing a meeting with the consultant firm responsible for the Ujjain project at Samatva Bhavan on Friday, Dr. Yadav instructed that the wildlife centre in Ujjain be designed as a jungle zoo safari, similar to the renowned Vantara Centre in Gujarat. He outlined plans for the centre to span approximately 500 hectares, incorporating the existing 50-hectare Eco-Tourism Park, and highlighted the need for a unique design showcasing diverse forests and wildlife from India and across the world.
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Dr. Mohan Yadav directed that Phase I of the project begin in 2026 and be completed at the earliest, aiming to position Ujjain as a premier destination for forest tourism offering both day and night safari experiences. The centre will house a mix of indigenous and exotic wildlife species and will be developed in coordination with the Tourism Department.
Over 300 Wildlife Species: 75% Indigenous, 25% Exotic
The consultant firm presented a detailed plan, stating that visitors would experience 11 forests from India and other countries across the 500-hectare area. The project will be executed in six phases, with Phase I scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. The design includes open forests with invisible barriers, allowing visitors to explore via foot, horse carriage, safari vehicles, and service vehicles.
The centre will accommodate over 300 wildlife species, maintaining a ratio of 75% indigenous to 25% exotic species, and will include a dedicated rescue facility. Officials emphasized that the Ujjain wildlife centre will offer a one-of-a-kind jungle zoo safari experience, potentially a global first.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) Ashok Barnwal, Additional Chief Secretary (CMO) Neeraj Mandloi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Shubharanjan Sen, Chief Conservator of Forests Krishnamurthy, representatives from Vantara Zoo, Gujarat, and the consultant firm.