Veermata Jijabai Udyan and Zoo (Byculla zoo), which is one of the oldest zoos in the country, will soon get a makeover.
The 150-year-old zoo will be home to 18 new species of Indian animals and five exotic animals. The Grade-II heritage precinct zoo was languishing due to delayed revamp plans. With municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar approving the new master plan on Tuesday, the zoo will get a new lease of life with a total of 340 animals and birds as its residents.
Expediting the revamp plan comes as a breather as 90% of the animals currently there are nearing life expectancy.
“The new plan has been drafted as per the directions of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). After completion of all the necessary documentation work, we will submit the plan to the CZA by this Saturday,” said Aseem Gupta, additional municipal commissioner.
After the CZA snubbed the old master plan, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has meticulously revised it to appease the supreme authority for clearance of the plan.
Zoo officials say that the new master plan will have minimal modifications, so that the green vegetation is not hampered. “No new animal enclosures will be constructed in the zoo. The alignment of the internal pathways in the zoo will not be changed and the principal axis of the zoo would remain the same. We will also retain the historical green and heritage structures inside the zoo,” said zoo Director Anil Anjankar.
However, there will be enrichment of the existing animal enclosures. The interiors of the enclosures will be redesigned so that the biological and physiological requirements of the animals are fulfilled. “There will be water ponds where the animals can drink, and bamboos where they can sit. Arrangements will be made to enhance the breeding condition of the animals,” he added.
The new zoo will be built as per the theme of “living together — natural co-existence”. The unique features of the revamped zoo will be a penguin raft, bird aviary park, turtle pond, snake house, reptile pond and reptile house. With the bringing of Humboldt penguin to the zoo, it will be the only zoo in the country to house penguins.
Visitors will be able to rejoice the new face of the zoo by August 2014. “The work will be carried out in three phases. Phase-I will complete majority of transferring of animals. Around 18 animal exhibits will be ready. Phase-II will deal with the bird park and the remaining work will be completed in the last phase,” Anjankar added.
The zoo revamp will be done with an estimated budget of Rs150 crore.
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