Barang: Planning to visit Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP)? The zoo authorities are planning to ensure an enthralling experience for visitors by resuming services like toy train and ropeway.
The toy train which has been lying dysfunctional would be made operational soon. The Indian Railways would undertake its repair works, said sources.
The ropeway, which has been out of service for long, would be made operational on a public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. The private agency would pay around `11 or 12 lakh to the authorities per year. Visitors can enjoy the ropeway ride for Rs 50.
Sources said finding a safe place for parking vehicles has always been a daunting task for the visitors. A multi-level parking lot would be built to streamline vehicle parking.
This part, the bridge over Kathajodi, a distributary of Mahanadi river, connecting Bhubaneswar with Cuttack has shortened the distance between the twin cities.
In a bid to ensure visitors have hygienic food, roadside eateries and restaurants near the zoo would be made more organised. “A state-of-the-art food plaza will come up to house the eateries. Rs 40 lakh has been earmarked for the purpose,” Forest and Environment department additional chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said.
This apart, plans are afoot for a Jungle Safari in Chandaka-Dampara sanctuary. “On an open jeep, visitors can enjoy the sight of animals in the safari, spreading over 22 sq km area,” sources said.
“The facility will be launched in January. Visitors, especially schoolchildren, will get an opportunity to witness a close view of the wild. They would definitely take interest to preserve and protect them as well,” Mohapatra said.
Himalayan bear enclosure opens
Bhubaneswar: The newly constructed Himalayan black bear enclosure in Nandankanan Zoo was dedicated to the visitors on the eve of 58th Foundation Day of the zoological park here Friday.
The old enclosure with an area of 159 sq metre was small enough to accommodate two Himalayan bears and was in dilapidated condition.
In 2016, extension work of the enclosure was taken up with initial budgeting provision of Rs 20 lakh and was completed in December, 2017 with total expenditure of Rs 35 lakh from the society budget of Nandankanan.
Zoo sources said the total are of the newly constructed enclosure is about 1350 sq metres and the new enclosure had 147 metre of solid concrete peripheral wall, two feeding chambers.
PNN
