Tourism Minister to be guardian of two Royal Bengal tigers
Aman and Dia in a playful fight
(Photo Courtesy: Hindustan Times)
Navjot Singh Sidhu , Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister of Punjab, decided to adopt two Royal Bengal tigers at Chhatbir zoo on Thurday. The Six-year-old Aman and his five-year-old companion Dia will be now the responsibility of the cricketer-turned-politician.
Dia is a white Royal Bengal tiger, born in the zoo in 2013, while Aman, born in 2012 at a Kanpur zoo, was brought here in 2015. Dia’s brother Love, was given to the Kanpur zoo in exchange for Aman by the Chhatbir zoo authorities.
Sidhu has to spent Rs 4,12,800 per annum for the purpose. The adoption took place under the ADOPT (Animals Depend On People Too) scheme of the zoo, which was launched here around six years ago.
“Both are majestic. I am in love with them. I will also adopt their cubs in future”, said Sidhu.
Sidhu enjoying some moments with a parrot at the zoo
Later, while speaking to the media, Sidhu announced that within a year, an ultra-modern aquarium will be set in the Zoo, with a cost of Rs 5 crore, where all kinds of fish will be showcased for the tourists. He said that he would personally talk to the Chief Minister to implement this proposal.
To increase the number of wildlife tourists in Punjab, Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board has made a great effort to provide better facilities for the tourists at Chhatbir zoo and the complete look of the zoo will be changed, once the project is completed. The total cost of the project is Rs 7.90 crore and it is nearing completion.
Sidhu has reviewed the progress of the works and said Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh will dedicate the face-lifted Zoo to the public on 26th January 2018.