Goa's first theme park will come up near Mayem lake, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said today.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, he said government had identified a 15,000 sq metre tract of land near Mayem lake for this purpose.
The lake is situated 15 km from here.
KPMG, a consultant for the tourism master plan, will provide a plan for the park, the minister added.
The proposed park will be on the lines of Genting island in Malaysia, Parulekar said.
Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane, however, intervened and pointed out that Genting island is famous for gambling, so the state should be cautious in its plans.
Parulekar assured that the theme park will not have gambling facilities.
"Efforts are being made to develop hinterland tourism so that the Tourism Department can offer diversified holidays to the tourists," he said.
The white water rafting in Sattari tehsil was receiving a good response and had become attraction for even the international tourists, he said.
He also announced that a night safari will be started at Bondla Zoo, 80 km from here.
