Barang: If you are planning to visit Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) during the upcoming Durga Puja, here is a piece of good news for you.
After a brief lull, the NZP authorities will resume the animal exchange programme as the authorities have decided to bring 18 animals to woo the visitors during the festivities.
Recently, the zoo authorities got green signal from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in this regard. A team has been formed which will leave for Chennai to bring the animals and birds September 20. 
As per the decision of the CZA, the NZP authorities will bring animals from Arignar Anna Zoological Park of Vandalur, Chennai as part of the animal swapping programme.
As per the programme, the Arignar Anna zoo authorities have agreed to give two Nilgiri langurs, two reticulated pythons, four white peacocks and 10 spotted grey cranes. In exchange, the NZP will provide two water monitors, two grey cranes, 10 white ibis and a Siamese crocodile to the Arignar Anna zoo, said NZP deputy director Jayant Kumar Das.
Das said he held discussion with the deputy director of Arignar Anna zoo to expedite the animal exchange programme. A four-member team headed by Das will leave for Chennai September 20 to bring the animals and birds.
While the Arignar Anna zoo authorities had asked the NZP to take the animals with them to Chennai, the former did not agree to the proposal. Once the issue is resolved, the NZP will leave for Chennai, sources said.
Sources said the NZP authorities had earlier proposed to bring a lion-tailed macaque from Chennai.
However, the central zoo authorities have excluded it from the list as the Chennai zoo has only two fertile lion-tailed macaques. Among the animals and birds, Nilgiri langur will be the first in the NZP.
“If we can leave for Chennai September 20, the visitors will be able to see the news guests during Dussehra. We are waiting for the nod of the Chennai zoo authorities. The visitors can see the new animals and birds before or after the Durgotsav,” Das added.
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