The Hindu 27.08.2009
Zoo master plan amended
Staff Reporter
| It has been forwarded to Central Zoo Authority for approval |
TIRUCHI: The State Forest Department has amended the comprehensive master plan of Tiruchi zoological park that is to come up inside the sprawling Reserve Forest in M.R. Palayam, a few kilometres from the city, and forwarded the document to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for approval.
The amended plan contains certain additional features which the Forest Department has proposed to create in a portion of the area set aside for “future development” of the zoo which will come up in a total area of 63 hectares along the Tiruchi-Chennai national highway.
The original master plan sent a few months ago to the CZA had set aside 15 hectares for “future development” of the “medium zoo” which is to be set up with funds provided by the State government and the CZA.
The CZA, a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, had sought from the State Forest Department the type of facilities it proposed to create in the area set aside for future development of the zoo.
Based on this, the Department incorporated additional features in the master plan and forwarded it to the CZA a few days ago along with the revised layout plan of the zoo through the Chief Wild Life Warden, Chennai.
Under the amended plan, the Department has proposed for establishment of a Nocturnal Animals House; boating facility; solid waste treatment plant; disaster management centre; captive breeding centre of locally endangered species and a veterinary research and forensic laboratory in the area earmarked for “future development” of the zoo, says Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, Tiruchi Deepak Srivasthava who was entrusted with the task of preparing the master plan.
The full-fledged disaster management centre will take care of emergencies such as flooding, outbreak of fire, escape of wild animals and drought situation inside the zoo. Every enclosure inside the zoo is proposed to be fitted with emergency alarms and connected to the disaster management centre, says Mr. Srivasthava.
In addition to carrying out research activities, the veterinary research and forensic lab will also probe the cause of death of animals.
Over 500 animals
The zoo will house over 500 animals and birds of 39 species.
The waste treatment plant would treat all liquid and solid wastes generated in the zoo and recycled. The Department has proposed an expenditure of Rs. 3.6 crore for the creation of these additional facilities, he added.
A sum of nearly Rs. 65 crore has been proposed for setting up the zoo and its maintenance for five years. The CZA will provide 100 per cent funds for activities relating to animal housing, its upkeep and veterinary care.
