The Hindu Business Line : Animal Planet plans more focus on India

ANIMAL Planet, the popular satellite channel beaming wildlife, has decided to partner with the Bannerghatta Biological Park as part of its plans to increase its focus on India.

It would brand the biological park by sprucing up the signages and redesigning information kiosks to give a more visible presentation about the fauna in the park. Of the total 730-acre forest area, only 20 per cent has been used up as natural sanctuary.

While Animal Planet would have no investment commitment for its association with the Park, "there are lots of opportunities for a long-term collaboration", said Mr PeterWeil, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Animal Planet International.

He said the association would increase the visibility of Animal Planet and it planned to launch two new programmes — India Uncovered, a prime-time programme to be beamed from November and a documentary on the world's famous wildlife to be launched in December. Mr Weil said the channel would step up its initiatives in programming, distribution and marketing. A new programme, Lyndal's Lifeline and the Snake Buster would also be introduced this year.

Mr P. Anur Reddy, Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Bannerghatta Park, said there were plans to invest about Rs 20 crore to improve the sanctuary. The funds would be available from the Central Government and the Karnataka Infrastructural Development Board. The proposed Butterfly Park to be developed at a cost of Rs 3 crore is expected to be ready in six months.

With this association and improvements, Bannerghatta Park hopes to attract more visitors from the current one million a year.

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