the only tiger safari park in north India, set up in Ludhiana in 1993 is facing paucity of funds. Officials are awaiting a grant of Rs 10 lakhs to meet expenses. "We are being able to provide food for the animals only because there is a contract with the suppliers and payment has to be made after a few months and not on a monthly basis,' said one of the staff members.

The safari has eight tigers, four cubs and around 40 peacocks. Besides, there is a zoo with separate enclosures for sambhars, blackbucks and cages for various bird species. A plan for the expansion of the safari was submitted to the Zoo Authority of India, which was approved. But the execution was stalled because the state government failed to provide their share of the funds.