The Central government cancelling the recognition granted to the Neyyar Lion Safari Park has rendered several local natives unemployed. Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has said that a proposal to reopen the facility by relocating it adjacent to the nearby deer rehabilitation centre is under consideration.
Replying to a submission by Parassala MLA C.K. Hareendran in the Assembly on Monday, the Minister said the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had cancelled the recognition of the park in an order issued on June 22. The decision was taken after the park was found lacking in facilities prescribed by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for a safari park meant for a large carnivore like lion.