SHILLONG: Construction work for the upcoming modern zoo at Mawlein Mawkhan in Ri-Bhoi has remained a non starter pending the approval of the revised master plan by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
Officials from the Forest department informed The Shillong Times that the department was awaiting clearance from the CZA to commence construction work.
According to the officials, the proposed approach road to zoo was cut off due to the four lane road project and the department was forced to submit a new master plan with a revised approach road before the CZA for approval.
Reacting to a query, the officials said construction cost would increase since the project has been delayed for long and the State government would have to pitch in to provide necessary funds for the project.
“Some government authorities have promised us funds for construction of animal enclosures,” officials informed.
The Forest department has received Rs 12 crore from 12th Finance Commission for the zoo which is being set up on a 75 hectare plot of land in Ri-Bhoi at a cost of Rs.19 crores.
The zoo, though small in size, would be on par with other modern zoos in the country and is likely to house some big animals in addition to those that would be shifted from the Lady Hydari Park in Shillong.
Once the new zoo is complete and the animals have been shifted, the Lady Hydari Park would continue to function only as a public park.
Climatic conditions of the State will be taken into consideration while deciding on the animals to be brought from outside to the zoo.
Around Rs.3-4 crores would have to be spent for maintenance of the zoo and the animals every year.
