Akbar and Sita, the controversial lion couple at Bengal Safari Park, are now known as Suraj and Tanaya instead. State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself named the lion couple of the safari park, said Additional Advocate General Jaijit Chowdhury. And after the name change, the forest department of the state is relieved after pouring water on all the controversies.
Regarding the name change of the lion couple brought from Tripura, Additional Advocate General Jayjit Chowdhury said, “The case in the circuit bench regarding the name of the lion couple brought from Tripura has been settled. It was alleged that the forest department of the West Bengal government had named the lion couple. We have no role in that. The moment the state government came to know about the matter, the process started to ensure that there were no controversial names. Accordingly, the matter is referred to the competent authorities. Named as such.”
Incidentally, the lion couple Akbar and Sita were brought to Bengal Safari Park in the state from Sipahijala Zoological Park in Tripura’s Vishalgarh on February 12. The Central Zoo Authority has given approval to bring a pair of lions from Tripura if the Animal Exchange Program is adopted in 2023.
All checks show that Akbar and Sita are the best couple in terms of animal exchange. As per that approval, the lion couple reached Bengal Safari by road from Tripura on February 12 this year. Controversy over the name arose only after the lions named Akbar and Sita arrived on safari. A case was filed in the circuit bench by a non-political organization against the state government. After that, Additional Advocate General Jayjit Chowdhury clarified the state’s position in the case. The case was settled in July after a hearing. In this regard, state forest minister Birbaha Hansda said, “We had earlier informed that there was no controversy.” Because we did not have to name those lions. It is given by the Tripura Govt. It has been proved in the court that Chief Minister Singh named the couple Suraj and Tanaya.”
