Assam state Zoo: More for visitors to zoo in golden year

April 2, 2007

More for visitors to zoo in golden year

A STAFF REPORTER

*March 30:* Now that the Assam state zoo has stepped into the 50th year of

its existence, Dispur has promised that many more new and improved amenities

would be provided so as to attract more visitors.

This was announced by forest and environment minister Rockybul Hussain at

the zoo today. He was there to lay the foundation stone for a revamped

parking lot and to release a book.

The book, *Inside a City Forest: the Natural History of Assam State Zoo

Campus*, has been written by Manoj Nair, who had worked at the zoo earlier.

The minister said the book *Inside a City Forest* would benefit not only

students and researchers but wildlife lovers as well. Senior officials of

the department, including state zoo DFO Narayan Mahanta, were present on the

occasion.

" I have received complaints that visitors are not happy with the facilities,

particularly sanitation facilities, and have taken steps, " Hussain said.

He said a sum of Rs 1 crore has been released to develop the parking area,

which will boast a restaurant and various other facilities. The parking lot

covers a total area of 9,666 square metres.

An additional Rs 26 lakh has been allocated to create better facilities,

including toilets, and development of the botanical garden.

He said the process of laying foundation stones, as practised by the present

Congress government, was different from that of the previous AGP government.

" We lay foundation stones only after getting the money. The previous

government used to do it just for the sake of doing it, " he said.

He added that the development of the parking area would be completed in

three months' time.

Forest and environment commissioner B.B. Hagjer said the zoo was performing

many useful functions, since it conducts research and acts as a rescue

centre.

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