Dharamshala: Dhauladhar Nature Park (Zoo) Gopalpur near Dharamshala is getting a pair of Asiatic lions. Forest Minister Govind Thakur dedicated the lion pair named Hemel and Akira to the general public on Saturday.
The pair of lions was brought from Shakurbagh Zoo in Gujarat to Gopalpur on November 9 as part of the Wildlife Exchange Program and is now being dedicated to the general public after the necessary quarantine period. The age of male lion Hemal is around 9 years and that of female lion Akira is close to five years. Asiatic lions are found naturally in Junagadh and Amroli districts of Gujarat in India.
Apart from this, two chinkara species of deer from Bhiwani Zoo have also been brought to Gopalpur Zoo and this was also dedicated to the public today by Forest Minister Govind Thakur. The age of male chinkara wind and female chinkara rainfall is three years, due to the arrival of these two species of wild animals, the Gopalpur zoo has increased its value.
On this occasion, the Forest Minister appreciated the Wildlife Wing for better maintenance of the zoo and called upon the employees and officials to conserve the wildlife and encourage them to keep up the good work.
MLA Hoshiar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Forest Himachal Pradesh Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Chief Aranyapal (Hauf) Ajay Kumar, Principal Chief Aranyapal Wildlife Doctor Savita and Aranyapala Dharamshala Devraj Kaushal were also present on the occasion.
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
