SHILLONG: State Government is putting constant pressure on the Central Zoo Authority to expedite the process of giving approval to the proposals for animal enclosure in the proposed zoo at Umtrew in Ri Bhoi.
DFO Wildlife, Khasi Hills, Arul Mathuram said that the Central Zoo Authority has so far approved five out of the 23 proposals for animal enclosures.
“We are continuously asking them to expedite the process,” he said here on Thursday.
According to Mathuram, the project has been delayed due to land acquisition hurdles. He added that the construction will pick up once approvals are received for the animal enclosures. It may be mentioned that the boundary wall for the project is almost complete.
The proposed State zoo, spread over 75 acres of land, was supposed to be completed in 2011.
In 2009 it was reported that the project would cost Rs.19 crore and during the same year Rs.12 crore was sanctioned for the construction work.
The zoo, though small in size, is proposed to be at par with other modern zoos in the country and is slated to house a variety of animals besides the ones to be shifted from the Lady Hydari Park in Shillong.
Climatic conditions of the State will be taken into consideration while deciding on the animals to be brought to the zoo.
Around Rs 3-4 crore would have to be spent per year for maintenance of the zoo.
