Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) will be developed with world-class infrastructure and amenities in line with international zoos, State Forest Minister Sidda Raghava Rao said.
Addressing the valedictory of the 63rd Wildlife Week celebrations at IGZP here on Saturday, the Minister said the State government will extend every support required for the development of the two zoos in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati.
Highlighting the role of zoo in spreading environmental awareness through educational programmes and the need for a proper infrastructure to reach out to maximum people, Mr Raghava Rao said, “The State government will provide support to develop an auditorium with a 5,000-member capacity in the zoo from the existing environment education centre of Bioscope.”
Out-of-the box thinking
Urging the forest officials and bureaucrats to think out of the box, Minister for Roads and Buildings Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu said, “Visakhapatnam zoo has similar environment as that of Singapore zoo. If they can successfully run a dolphinarium there, a similar model can be replicated here with the complex already developed. The staff can be sent to Singapore for training. With such additional features, Vizag zoo can be a global attraction.”
The World Bank has already sanctioned ₹ 36 crore for the zoo under the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project (APDRP) for which the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared.
Chief Conservator of Forest Rahul Pandey said the DPR will be ready by December and work will commence by next year April.
“One of the critical areas that will be addressed in the DPR is creating an interpretation of the zoo. This apart, improvement of day and night kraals, improvement and enhancement of visitors’ amenities will be other areas that will be included,” Mr Pandey added.
During the week-long celebrations at the zoo park, more than 260 students from 59 schools and colleges participated in various competitions.
The prize winners were awarded on the occasion. Zoo curator B. Vijaya Kumar said over 4,500 students up to 12 years old have availed free entry into the park during the wildlife week.