LINGARAJ ROUT, OP
Baranga: One of the major attractions of Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) here— the Nocturnal Animal House –has remained closed for more than three years, leaving visitors disappointed.
Renovation and repair work has been underway for more than three years, but the project is yet to be completed, allegedly due to a lack of seriousness on the part of the authorities.
As a result, tourists visiting the zoo are being deprived of the opportunity to see the facility.
The nocturnal animal house was inaugurated, equipped with modern technology by then Forest Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha on the zoo’s foundation day in 2015 as a gift to visitors.
NZP, one of the country’s major zoological parks, attracts visitors throughout the year for its wildlife conservation, education, research and recreation.
To draw tourists and facilitate better management, the zoo has been divided into sections such as the reptile park, carnivores, aquatic and terrestrial birds, and the northeastern landscape.
The nocturnal animal house was one of the major attractions. The design of the enclosure is distinctive compared with similar facilities at other zoos.
The enclosure was designed to recreate nighttime conditions, allowing nocturnal animals housed there to move around naturally.
The facility housed several nocturnal species, including the Indian flying squirrel, civet cats, owls, pangolin, fishing cats, bats and sloth bears.
Visitors could observe the animals from close quarters through small glass enclosures illuminated by dim lights, providing them with a unique nighttime experience.
However, the enclosure has remained closed for the past three to four years for repairs and renovation.
Consequently, visitors have been unable to enjoy one of the zoo’s popular attractions.
While efforts are reportedly being made to develop NZP into a world-class zoological park, the prolonged closure of the nocturnal animal house has raised questions over whether it is due to a lack of commitment or negligence on the part of the authorities.
There is also no prominent notice board outside the facility informing visitors that it is closed.
Many tourists reportedly enter the facility expecting to see the animals, only to find the gates shut and return disappointed.
The authorities have also not clarified why the facility was closed or when it is likely to reopen.
