Rs. 159 cr needed for zoo master plan

Besides themes such as central Indian Highlands, peninsular India, Himalayan foothills and even Africana, new facilities such as aquarium, insectarium, butterfly park and rainforests among others were the highlights of the master plan for the National Zoological Park unveiled on Thursday.

Besides themes such as central Indian Highlands, peninsular India, Himalayan foothills and even Africana, new facilities such as aquarium, insectarium, butterfly park and rainforests among others were the highlights of the master plan for the National Zoological Park unveiled on Thursday.

HT Image

The master plan - which would require Rs. 159 crore for implementation - was unveiled by PJ Dilip Kumar, director general (forests) and special secretary, ministry of environment and forests on the 54th foundation day of the Park, commonly known as Delhi zoo.

Kumar, said: "There is a burning desire in young people for nature conservation."

The zoo's master layout plan, which was unveiled earlier last year, now provides a detailed guideline for achieving the goal, the zoo administration said.

BS Bonal, Central Zoo Authority (CZA) member-secretary said, "The CZA has given in-principal approval to the plan. It is final."

"The master plan will truly give a national character to the zoo and guide the development process till 2031," zoo director Amitabh Agnihotri said.

"The number of visitors has crossed two million, an all-time high," he said.

Kumar advocated keeping the entry fees reasonable so that economically weaker families can visit the zoo.

The director general also suggested that Delhi zoo should interact with citizens through television as done by Singapore zoo.

Children who won various prizes at competitions held during Wild Life Week celebrations in October first week were awarded.

Zoo employees who have put in dedicated work were felicitated on the occasion.