(IN): State Zoo set for major changes

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*http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=feb2409/City7

 

State Zoo set for major changes

*Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 23 – The Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden is set for

change with the completion of a master plan by April this year. The plan

would effect major changes in the manner in which it is managed, and draw a

road map for its future growth.

 

The zoo, among the biggest in the country, contains a large collection of

flora and fauna numbering more than 700 spread over 94 species.

Significantly, 50 of the exhibits are listed as Schedule 1 species under the

Wildlife Protection Act.

 

The zoo has to its credit, a successful captive breeding programme, and has

been a venue for researchers to carry out close observational studies of

several species.

of the Zoo, Narayan Mahanta told *The Assam Tribune* that the new

plan will be a comprehensive attempt to change the way that infrastructure

and species are managed. “It would enable us to have a fresh look at

collection of species, their maintenance, and even the lay out of the place,

making the whole experience more educative and conservation-oriented,” he

remarked.

 

Under the new plan, the zoo would also contain information and expertise on

bio-security, prophylactic and disinfecting processes. Besides, there would

be thinking about overall security arrange-ments, which at present it needs

to overhaul.

 

Referring to the challenges, Mahanta observed that because the zoo is not a

new one, some efforts would be required to improve its already existent

layout and infrastructure. But it would not be insurmountable.

 

Because of the nature of its inventory, the master plan would contain

provision for effective disaster management, a practice in use in some other

zoos of the country. In this case, knowledge has been acquired from some

other zoos in the country.

 

Once adopted, the new plan is going to change not just the look of the zoo,

but also bring in new thinking for its managerial staff. “In a way, the plan

would bring in the best of knowledge to make the zoo a place where education

and conservation will come together for the benefit of the species and the

visitors,” Mahanta noted.

 

Meanwhile, the zoo recently became a member of a large network of zoos and

aquarium across the world, sharing a large database. As a member of the

Zoological Information Management System, the zoo would have access to

detailed information about the inventory of 800 zoos in various countries,

leading to faster acquisition of species when required.

 

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