According to the master plan approved by the Central Zoo Authority, the visiting hours for the proposed Night Safari is between 6 pm and 11 pm on weekdays depending on season and while in weekends it will be allowed up to 12 midnight.
“The time fixed in Singapore night safari is between 7.30 pm and 12 midnight and Changmal Safari is open between 8 pm and 11 pm, Tai Ping Safari operates between 8 pm and 11 pm. The area and time for night safari would be adhered and maintained at all times without any deviation in accordance with the terms of approval by the Central Zoo Authority,” Millo Tago, Conservator of Forests and Executive Director of Bannerghatta Biological Park has said in his affidavit.
The affidavit says that the Central Zoo Authority had approved the master plan submitted for the year of 2009-2010 to 2018 -2019 on February 11, 2010 in which an area of 115 hectors has been earmarked for the Night Safari.
However, later it was clarified that an effective area of 50 hectares was sufficient for Night Safari compared with 40 hectares in Singapore Night Safari. “Considering the steep slopes and barren rocks, only about 50 hectare of the valley shall be utilised for the safari,” Tago stated in the affidavit.
The Forest department has also stated that Bannergahatta National Park and Bannerghatta Biological park are totally different, separate and distinct entities un-connected with each other.
The Bannerghatta National Park sprawled over area of 25,473.08 acres initially as per notification dated September 6, 1975. After Supreme Court direction the extent increased to the present 27,212.62 acres. The State Government by a notification dated March 5, 2004 reserved an area of 1,829.70 acres for Bannerghatta Biological Park, independent of Bannerghatta National Park.
B R Deepak, City-based advocate had filed a PIL challenging the proposed Night Safari and contended that the Night Safari is against the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and the wild animals would be under extreme pressure and stress if the safari is allowed.