Barang: A slew of events have been planned to mark the 58th Foundation Day of Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP)—December 29, 2017.
The Himalayan bear enclosure would be inaugurated, while the annual magazine of the zoo would be released to mark the occasion.
Plans are on to felicitate at least 25 personnel for their year-long dedication towards zoo. “Three guards, a forester, three caretakers, two security wing personnel, three staff of State Botanical Garden, one from Raj Bhawan Deer Park and two personnel from sanitation and water departments are among others who will be given cash awards on the occasion,” NZP sources said.
Fee waiver on facilities, revised entry fee from April 1, 2018
The NZP authorities have decided to raise the entry fee beginning April 1 next year. On the other hand, they have also declared a fee waiver on a few facilities and services at the zoo.
Sources said the entry fee will be hiked by `10 for an adult. “Earlier an adult had to pay `40 towards entry fee. After revision, adults will have to pay `50. However, there is no change in entry fee for children,” NZP deputy director Jayant Kumar Das said, adding they have received the revised fee approval from higher-ups.
On the other hand, the zoo authorities have decided to waive charges on cloak room and digital cameras (except for high-end video cameras). This apart, fee for visiting the aquarium, using toilet and a few other facilities would be waived as well.
Earlier, a visitor had to pay `5 for using cloak room, `10 for visiting aquarium, `2 for using toilet and `10 for a digital camera.
“Earlier these services were mostly outsourced. As these services and facilities will be directly controlled by the NZP, visitors can enjoy them free-of-cost,” NZP sources said.
Measures ahead of Christmas, New Year
Expecting large tourist footfall ahead of Christmas and New Year, the NZP authorities have taken measures to ensure that visitors enjoy a hassle-free and memorable trip.
In a bid to ensure that tourists don’t have to stand in serpentine queues for tickets, as many as 16 ticket counters will be opened. In an attempt to avoid any untoward situation, a fire fighting vehicle will be stationed on the zoo premises. This apart, a team from Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) would be readily available on both the days. Two doctors from the health centre on the zoo premises would ensure availability of primary medication to the visitors.
In order to keep a watch on any sort of criminal activity, including eve-teasing, snatching and pick pocketing, the Commissionerate Police has decided to deploy a platoon on zoo premises.
Besides, adequate traffic personnel would man the vehicular movement and parking facility.
“Adequate number of personnel would be deployed on the zoo premises to assist and guide the visitors. A dedicated squad will scrutinise the tickets. This apart, visitors will be made aware of these facilities by loudspeaker announcements at zoo entrance,” NZP sources said.
Incidentally, the Christmas and New Year fall Mondays. However, the NZP and the State Botanical Garden would remain open on these days. “Although, the spots usually remain closed Mondays, it will remain open this Christmas and New Year. Instead, the entertaining spots will remain closed December 26, 2017 and January 2, 2018,” NZP deputy director Jayant Kumar Das said.
NZP bear safari closed for visitors
A day after sloth bear Liza delivered a cub at the Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) here, the zoo authorities Tuesday decided to close the bear safari for visitors for an unspecified period. NZP sources said Liza is the first bear to deliver at the bear safari since its establishment in 2012. It is learnt that the zoo authorities have planned to take steps to save Liza’s cub from other bears.
“This is the first cub of Liza. The female bear has been seen taking care of the cub since its birth. We are introducing a number of safety measures for the cub,” said an NZP official. According to sources, the zoo authorities have planned to install CCTV cameras at the feeding chamber of the bear safari to monitor the activities of Liza and its cub round-the-clock. Besides, Nandankanan authorities have constituted a special team comprising a veterinary doctor and animal experts to monitor the health and movement of Liza and its cub. “We have decided to close the bear safari for visitors for an indefinite period as a precaution against any possible harm to Liza and its cub,” said NZP deputy director Jayanta Kumar Das. In a related development, NZP authorities Tuesday received a female cub, rescued from Baliguda forest division in Kandhamal district. “The rescued cub is now under medical supervision. With the arrival of the female cub, the bear population at NZP has reached 16. Now, we have 10 male bears and six female bears,” said the zoo official.
