The construction of Meghalaya’s first theme zoo at Umtriew in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district began recently.The proposed theme zoo, to be constructed at Umtriew, situated on the Assam-Meghalaya border, will be completed within three years.

The forest department has made efforts to concentrate on developing the zoo on the theme of Northeast animals and birds. At present, Lady Hydari Park in Shillong acts as a mini zoo.

A forest department official said the civil work as part of the construction started recently. The proposed zoo will be spread over 56 hectares and the expenditure is earmarked at Rs 19 crore, of which Rs 17 crore has been sanctioned.

The forest officials said only the animals and birds from the region would find a place in the zoo, to be ready by 2011.

“We will not house animals and birds found elsewhere in the country in the new zoo,” said conservator of forests (wildlife and territorial) M.S. Shullai.

According to the official, the forest department does not want to import any animals or birds, which cannot adapt to the environment of the Northeast.

“We will look for indigenous animals and birds to be housed in the zoo and not the ones which we see elsewhere in the country,” said Shullai.

The cat family, slow loris, leopards, deer, hornbills and other indigenous birds would be placed in the proposed state zoo, he added.

The forest department’s intention is also to attract tourists who wish to see something unique to the region, compared to the usual animals and birds found all over the country.

The forest department is also making efforts to ensure that the zoo has a natural surrounding.

“We have two streams, one rain-fed and another perennial, on the proposed site, besides a vast paddy field, which adds to the natural settings,” Shullai said.

The urgency to set up a zoo arose after the Supreme Court and the People for Ethical Treatment to Animals (PETA) asked the state government to set up a permanent zoo, as the animals and birds housed at the temporary zoo at Lady Hydari Park are not treated properly.