The master layout plan for the National Zoological Park, Delhi, has finally been unveiled. The Rs176-crore makeover, hope the zoo authorities, will bring the city zoo up to international standards.
The front of the zoo will have a swanky visitors' centre. "There is four-five acres of space in the front which we are planning to develop," said zoo director Amitabh Agnihotri. The centre will have, apart from parking, ticket booths and the souvenir shop, food courts (air-conditioned and non-AC), an ATM and the cloak room. Making it more user friendly, the movement of visitor and service vehicles will be in one direction. This will also help visitors find their way.
"The roads, buildings, moats - all need a thorough refurbishment," said Agnihotri. The officials present at the function - it was also the zoo's 53rd foundation day - referred to the 40 animals that died in 2010 (a batch of 19 blackbuck died during the rains), saying the new-and-improved zoo will also be safer for the animals.
The new set-up should be able to accommodate more than 200 species and over 2000 inmates; 39 of the existing enclosures will be upgraded; 30 new ones will be built. Some of the animals will also be moved from their current locations to new ones. The lions will occupy the enclosure for the royal Bengal tiger; the blue bulls will be where the old African rhinoceroses stay now.
The displays will be arranged following different themes "imparting a national character to the park". Enclosures and animals will be placed according to their original habitats into areas designated as central Indian highlands, peninsular India, Himalayan foothills, and Africana.