Open natural habitat sans cages and protected viewing areas for visitors are some of the highlights of the proposed modernisation of the the Byculla Zoo.
Open natural habitat sans cages, protected viewing areas for visitors and animals brought in from other areas in the state and the world are some of the highlights of the proposed modernisation of the 53-acre Jijabai Bhosale Udyan popularly known as the Byculla Zoo.
The Thailand-based HKS Designers and Consultant International Company along its partner — the Portico Group — made a presentation of its master plan for the zoo to the municipal commissioner Johny Joseph on Wednesday for the administration's views and suggestions. On Thursday, a similar presentation would be made to the Group leaders of all political parties in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for their nod. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has made it mandatory to the BMC to prepare a master plan by March 2007 in exchange of one year's recognition.
The master plan proposes range of animals from each region between South Africa and India (including Australia) spread across in small natural habitats surrounded by a large water body. A mini theatre showing animal kingdom films and training centre for staff will be added features.
When the consultants made this presentation to the CZA recently, the central authorities asked for some changes — to retain only those animals in the zoo which can adjust to the weather conditions and space. The civic administration too is keen that animals like deers must be permanently shifted out of the zoo into bigger, natural habitats. The CZA authorities also told the planners to accommodate more animals from western and Eastern Ghats in the new zoo.
Civic authorities told DNA that by end of May the entire master plan for the Rs130 crore project would be ready along with a tender document made. Tenders for work will be finalised by August and would be put up for clearance from the Standing Committee. Work on the project will begin by October and would be completed in one and half years.
“The choice of animals in the zoo would depend on the CZA guidelines. We will shift animals to open areas during the construction period. We will take the advice of the consultants on whether to keep the zoo open for the visitors or keep it closed during the construction period,” said an senior official.
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