Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Thursday announced the establishment of a zoo-cum-safari park at Taliparamba in Kannur district.

The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and attended by ministers K Rajan, A K Saseendran, and P Prasad, according to a statement issued by the CM's office.

The proposed park will be situated on land owned by the Plantation Corporation and designed to allow animals and birds to roam freely in a natural forest environment, rather than being confined to cages, the statement said.

Tourists will be transported through the park in armoured vehicles.

The park will also feature a botanical garden, a rainwater tank, and a natural history museum.

The Agriculture Department has decided to release 256 acres of land for the park and has issued a no-objection certificate for its transfer to the Revenue Department, the statement added.

In the meeting, the CM directed the Revenue Department to complete the necessary procedures within 10 days to facilitate the establishment of the park and issue the required order.

Employees of the Plantation Corporation will be employed at the proposed park, the statement concluded. PTI