KARACHI, Sept 27: Safari Park will be on a par with international parks after the setting up of a modern bird aviary, introduction of big mammals and completion of the on-going developmental work and renovation, said Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad on Thursday.

The governor expressed this while visiting Safari park to inspect the progress of development work. He was accompanied by Sindh Minister for Information and Technology Raza Haroon, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Administrator Mohammad Hussain Syed, senior Community Development, Sports and Recreation director Rehan Khan, who also looks after Safari park and other recreation projects in the city.

He said that the environment of the park had improved considerably and had been attracting a lot of people since the renovation work finished around four months ago. A wall was built from Madhoo Goth to Safari park and the roads inside it were also completed, complemented by the greenery from newly planted trees. He also directed the park officials to prepare a comprehensive uplift plan so that it could be declared a mega project and all possible facilities provided to it.

Dr Ibad announced that in the next couple of weeks a pair of Bengal tigers and pumas would be brought to the park. He said that 80 per cent construction work of the elephant enclave was completed. Once finished, the elephants will have a free space to roam around.

While briefing the governor, Mr Khan said that the construction of the Elephant Enclave would be completed next month. The enclave will have an area of around 2,800 square feet and would include a bathing space and resting area for the elephants.

Mr Khan said that the 2.5-kilometre-long road was constructed at a cost of Rs20 million in the Safari area. He said that work on peacocks’ enclosure had also begun and a new irrigation system was being installed to ensure water supply to animals.

KMC Administrator Mr Syed said the renovation work would continue and hoped that it would be made into a modern facility for recreation. He said that new swings would be installed for children, walking and jogging tracks rebuilt, new animals -- including lions, giraffes, rhinoceroses and chimpanzees -- will be brought to Safari park, adding that a boating facility would also begin in the central lake.