July 11, 2004

Though the new area at the Safari Park has added colour to the recreational facility, it still leaves a lot to be desired

RECREATION-starved Karachiites seem to have welcomed, though with some apprehension, the opening of a safari area at the Safari Park. Apart from adding one more place to the otherwise deficient list of recreational spots in the city, the place is being talked about more for the significance it bears for being the first in the country that presents a modern culture of safari.

The gates of the safari area were opened to the public in mid June. The thrill of watching different kinds of animals roaming around freely in the natural environment with no iron grille to obstruct the view, brought to feet many, who for years had given up the hope that the sprawling Safari Park would ever offer something worthwhile. Spread on 250 acres, the safari area at the moment has 15 local and exotic species namely, spotted deer, South American lama, African water bucks, red deer, yak, sika deer, black buck, samba deer, fellow deer (white and brown), ghazal deer and Tajikistan camels. The headcount of animals, all herbivores, is approximately 500.

Development schemes to upgrade the vast area of the park which stretches to 407 acres (out of which 50 acres have been encroached by squatter settlement, Mudho Goth) had been in limbo for a long time due to administrative bottlenecks. The land, which is endowed with beautiful topographical features, was allocated by general Ateequr Rehman, governor of East Pakistan in 1970. Dr A.A Qureshi was the then director of the Zoological Gardens, who founded a plan for the park, inaugurated by the governor.

It was way back in 1984 that finally another revised plan was chalked out but that too had to wait for more than a decade for its implementation. Ultimately, signs of its practical execution began to show in 1997 when animals were flown in from different countries. Furthermore, enclosures were made and work on construction of the driveway and fencing kicked off as well.

Better late then never, the safari area project is no more chained to red-tapism. The authorities hope that the the project, which has finally seen the light of day, turns out to be a successful one.

The inauguration of the park was not an unnoticed event, as media, both electronic and print, were generous in giving it sufficient coverage. The authorities claim that the number of visitors is increasing day by day and the public feedback has been encouraging.

However, in many people’s view all the hype and fervour generated about the place, touched an exaggerated length. A frank exchange of views with men and women that thronged the park in high hopes, revealed that the project had turned out to be a damp squib. “I came here under the impression conveyed by newspapers that I would get to see something spectacular. But I am utterly disappointed,” said one disenchanted visitor after returning from the safari trip.

Many missed the presence of a guide who could brief them on animals and wished they were given some pamphlets to inform them about the general features of the species.

The park authorities have arranged coaches to take visitors inside the arena for Rs20 and Rs10 for adults and kids respectively. The safari ride lasts for 25 to 30 minutes and covers an 8km-long driveway, which goes through 11 enclosures. The short span of the bus ride and scarcity of animals cast a shadow over the hopes of people who longed for a longer ride that would have given them the opportunity of watching different animals.

Sharing his views, a visitor opined that the Rs20 ticket for the bus ride was rather expensive to have a look at the animals which were hardly there and appeared in poor health. One more visitor commented that the authorities should have made some more improvement before opening the area to public. “The area looks barren and the only animals we got to see sparsely scattered around were different kinds of deer. There are no good animals to attract us,” she stated.

Among the bunch of visitors who visibly looked disappointed, it was encouraging to spot a couple of people who viewed the situation optimistically.

Echoing a positive opinion, some women visitors said, one had to wait for a while to see things improving and the whole thing should not be analyzed too critically.

Going by what the public at large has to say about the issue, one may say that the safari area has failed to live up to people’s expectations. It is essential to see how the authorities counter their disappointments and complaints.

Agreeing that there was a lot of room for improvement, Dr Farid Hassan Qadri, Deputy District Officer said, “had we not opened it now, it would have stayed in the same condition for a decade. Whatever has been done would improve by leaps and bounds in the future. With the passage of time the pressure would build up on the authorities concerned to upgrade things here.”

Maintaining that the city government has many plans in store to provide greater level of amusement and recreation to the people at the Safari Park, Mansoor Kazi, District Officer, City Government, said execution of many projects in the pipeline was underway. “Soon we will induct zebras here; also, we plan to bring in a lion. But for that an enclosure with tight security has to be made.”

Moreover, he said, to put the Safari park on top of the list of recreational places of the city, there were various plans waiting for the final approval which included log slides, chairlift and boating. The recent inauguration of a wheeler train was a part of this plan. However, the train does not take visitors inside the safari area.

Although, the authorities claim that since 1996 some 35,000 trees have been planted to enrich the environment and provide a natural habitat to the animals, the place presents a barren look and the scant number of trees does not in any way appear to be sufficient. The inadequate greenery can’t be put down to the shortage of water; the water conduit at the park ensures unrestricted water supply to the park, as told by one of the officials. However, it was told, the survival and increase in the number of trees depended more on the climatic conditions of the city. It was hoped more green patches would fill the place when the city gets the annual rainfall.

Expressing his satisfaction over the condition of animals Dr Kazim Hussain of the Karachi Zoo said, annually 50 lac rupees were spent on animal feed that are mostly fed on fodder pulses and grass. The cost on food was variably increasing with the increase in the quantity of animals. It was learnt that 100 new births were recorded at the park on an annual basis. However, the animals in excess were either shifted to other zoos or were exchanged to maintain their population according to the sex ratio.

Required to adjust to their new habitat, initially, differnt animals faced a number of problems; like some of them developed skin problems.

Having acclimatized to the weather conditions, the animals seem to have accepted the intrusion of humans and motors into their vicinity as well. While the bus slowly moves around, they peacefully stay at their respective places, regurgitating, and silently watch people gazing at them. One visitor suspected their too tranquil behaviour and thought their poor health did not allow them to run around when the bus moved towards them.

While one must appreciate, with an open heart, steps taken by the city government to introduce safari trips into the park, the need to enhance recreational facilities at the park must not be ignored. Opening of a good fast food restaurant, additon of carnivores, a museum, a play area, ladies corner and similar attractions would add more colour to the park.

Also, the shortcomings faced by the authorities at the administrative level, such as the fact that there is no post for a veterinarian at the park and there are just six people to look after the animals, must be addressed as soon as possible.

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