Interpretation centre to open at Sarthana Zoo today

Surtis will have one more reason to visit the Sarthana Zoo - the Wildlife Interpretation Centre - developed at cost of Rs35 lakh. It is said to be the most advanced one in the state, which will guide people about wildlife and ecological system.

The centre which is spread across 1,500 sq ft has been developed inside the Butterfly Park. To make it more people friendly, it has been divided into two parts - Internal Wildlife and External Wildlife Interpretation Centre. Outside the centre, pictures, kiosks, diagrams, panels and posters will be kept to guide people about global warming, bird migration, marine and wildlife. While in the internal one, visitors will be shown a 10 minute film about nocturnal woods.

To show the film, a special 25 seats mini-theater has been created. The SMC has kept no entry fees to visit the centre, which will be inaugurated by state environment minister Mangubhai Patel, on Sunday.

"Our aim is to give latest and useful knowledge about wildlife and nature to visitors, which has resulted in developing this centre. We had planned this centre, while preparing Butterfly Park and now it is completely ready. Proper study and research has been done for selecting pictures and information to be kept in the centre," said PG Mehta, in-charge zoo superintendent (SMC).

Mehta added that interpretation centre developed at Sarthana zoo is the latest one in Gujarat. There is only one at Junagadh, which is very old and lack information on important topics.