Circa 2006: a vision report

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Link:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060607/asp/guwahati/story_6318142.asp

 

Circa 2006: a vision report

ROOPAK GOSWAMI

 

June 6: The Northeast's biggest zoo, the Assam State Zoo-cum-

Botanical Garden, is embarking on a massive makeover plan which will

turn it into a " treasure trove " of animals.

 

For example, an artificial lake in the middle of dense foliage could

become a nesting place for migratory birds. While trained guides

will take visitors on a tour of the enclosures, the physically

challenged will not feel left out with arrangements for wheelchairs.

 

The makeover project is part of the 20-year masterplan being

prepared according to norms laid down by the Central Zoo Authority

(CZA).

 

" The zoo will be a window to the biodiversity of the Northeast. For

the visitors it will be an experience quite like a tour to a game

safari, " divisional forest officer of Assam state zoo, Narayan

Mahanta, said.

 

He said the masterplan would develop the zoo under the changed

context of zoo management, give it a natural feel and provide more

facilities to the visitors so that they are eager on a second or a

third visit.

 

Nestled in the rolling Hengerabari hillocks and located right in the

heart of the city, the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden is also

the green lung of the city and a favoured destination attracting

over five lakh visitors annually.

 

Mahanta said under the layout, emphasis will be laid on placing the

animals in the taxonomic order as currently they are placed in a

haphazard manner. " The herbivores will not be placed along the

carnivores, " he said. While new enclosures will be erected, old ones

will be modified to ensure greater " comfort " to the animals.

 

Improving enclosures is a core priority in the masterplan as out of

the 47 enclosures, only 15 are in a good condition while the rest

require improvement. Under the animal collection plan, emphasis is

being laid on bringing indigenous, rare and endangered species. " The

number of animals does not serve any purpose. There will be annual

action plan in which the authorities will identify what kind of

animals will be brought keeping in mind visitors' interests, "

Mahanta said.

 

The Thailand Zoological Park Organisation has already met officials

of the Central Zoo Authority in New Delhi on an animal-exchange

plan.

 

Conservation breeding is another area that the plan will

address. " Species will be identified for conservation breeding and

separate provisions will be made for carrying out the exercise. They

will be kept in isolation, away from human interference, " Mahanta

said.

 

The new attractions include a moorhen's lake, an aviary, a hollock

gibbon domain and crocodile enclosure for which the zoo is seeking

the corporate sector's support. " Some of the areas in the zoo will

be named after famous personalities like E.P. Gee, the man credited

with discovering the golden langur, " he said.

 

A contingency plan is under preparation, which includes how to deal

with animals rescued from the wild, prevent and cope with escape of

animals from enclosures and curb the monkey menace. A large number

of wild monkeys have a permanent habitat in the trees around the zoo

and often terrorise visitors.

 

" A rescue centre will be built to deal with salvaged animals as the

zoo gets a large number of such cases, " Mahanta said. He said the

masterplan would adhere to the open zoo concept. " There are open

enclosures already for the golden langur, Himalayan black bear and

capped langur. A few more will be built according to the needs, "

Mahanta added.