Preparations for developing Lucknow's first urban open-air night safari are in full swing with a digital survey being conducted to take in account various factors.

The safari, that is going to come up in Kukrail forest area, will be operated only at night and cover some 350 acres of forest land there. The survey will determine optimal utilisation of the forest land and ensure that the infrastructure developed here goes in conjunction with the available land.

This night safari, which is being developed on the lines of that in Singapore, will proffer a fresh new experience to tourists and boost eco-tourism. It is also aimed at conserving bio-diversity.

The digital survey can also map out the area, starting from the entry to the visitors' gallery, including activity areas. This will render accurate representations of the area, highlighting spaces of interest in apt detailing.

Talking about the budget of the project, the State has earmarked ₹1 crore for the safari. Out of this supplementary budget, ₹60 lakhs have been allocated for the construction work, ₹20 lakhs for the machinery, ₹20 lakhs for remaining expenses, including salary of the staff.

Moreover, a riverfront will be constructed in the premises by channelising the river flowing in the Kukrail range. The night safari will incorporate adventurous endeavours, encompassing a tiger safari, a bear safari and a leopard safari.

The project is slated to conclude by the end of 2023.