India, Jan. 25 -- Some have applauded the move; others dislike the idea of putting the rare felids on display in enclosures

There have been mixed reactions from wildlife experts and activists after the Odisha government decided to set up a black tiger safari, the first of its kind in the world, near the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district.

Lala A K Singh, an expert on the black tigers of Similipal, said the creation of a safari meant putting the big cats in an enclosed space. "This will be an attraction for visitors," he said.

Biswajit Mohanty, former member of the National Board for Wildlife, however disliked the idea of putting such rare felids in enclosures by creating a safari. "They are free-roaming wildlife. Visi...