‘The country to get the first night safari in December 2026’: CM Yogi

Lucknow| Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that in December 2026, Uttar Pradesh will gift the country its first night safari. This night safari being built in the capital Lucknow will be a new destination for nature lovers of the country and the world. This will be the fifth night safari in the world.

The proposed Kukrail Night Safari Park and Zoo was presented before the Chief Minister in a high-level meeting at his official residence on Tuesday. CM Yogi said that the construction work should be completed by June 2026 under any circumstances. Proper arrangements for bringing wild animals for night safari and zoo should be started. Sustainable models should be developed for night safari and zoo economy. Greenery should be developed in 72 percent of the area and solar energy projects should also be given place here.

CM Yogi said that Night Safari Project is an ambitious project of the state government, permission has been received from the Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi for its construction. The country will receive the gift of its first night safari in December 2026 in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s largest state. Night and day safari will be constructed in a phased manner. In Lucknow, it would be spread over more than 900 acres.

The Chief Minister said that after the construction of Kukrail Night Safari, this project will also attract foreign tourists as a result of coming on the international tourism map. Kukrail Night Safari Project will also be linked to other tourist places located in Lucknow. 72 percent of the area of night safari should be developed in greenery.

CM Yogi said that the process of marking, bringing animals here and quarantining them should be started. Eco Tourism Zone will also be developed under the Kukrail Night Safari Project. Solar energy projects should be given space.

He directed that there should be proper arrangements for quarantine center, veterinary hospital, post operation and operation theater here. There should also be facilities for cafeteria, 7 D theatre, auditorium, parking etc. Under the Adventure Zone, Superman Zipline, Archery, Zip Line, Burma Bridge, Paddle Boat, Sky Roller, Fountain, Jungle Animal Theme for Kids Activity, Sky Cycle etc. should be developed. Day Safari will be expanded in the second phase. In the meeting, Forest Minister (Independent Charge) of the State Government, Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena, government and forest department officials were present.

Features of Night-Day Safari:- The areas to be developed on the theme of Indian Walking Tray, Indian Foothill, Indian Wetland, Arid India and African Vetlant will be the main attractions in the Night Safari area. 5.5 km for observation of night safari park by tourists. Tramway and 1.92 km. Will be done through the pathway.

Night safari will mainly have the main attractions like Asiatic Lion, Gharial, Bengal Tiger, Flying Squirrel, Leopard, Hoyna etc. Construction of world class wildlife hospital and rescue center is also proposed under the Kukrail Nite Safari Project. A total of 63 enclosures will be built in the zoo to be established in the Kukrail forest area. Saras crane, swamp deer, Himalayan bear, South African giraffe, African lion and chimpanzee will be the main attractions in the zoo. The zoo will be developed on theme areas called African Savannah, Incredible India, Engineered Wetlands.