State zoo project clears hurdles, work to begin soon

SHILLONG: The proposed zoo at Mawlein Mawkhan in Ri Bhoi has finally crossed all hurdles and construction work is set to begin soon.
An official of the Forest and Environment Department said the project was hanging fire for a long time owing to land acquisition for the approach road.
The government had shelved the project because land rates were too high. The approach road has now been re-aligned to the land owned by the Department. The Central Zoo Authority has also approved the new approach road.
The official said the project work will begin this winter and that the department has set a fresh deadline of December 2018 for its completion.
“Everything is in order and all the designs have been approved and the work will begin this winter. (However), we cannot complete the entire infrastructure by 2018 but we will make it operational with enclosures for animals, staff quarters and other infrastructure,” he added.
Earlier, the total project cost was Rs 19 crore and now the estimated cost will rise due to the long delay.
The zoo, though small in size, will be on a par with other modern zoological gardens in the country and is likely to house some big animals, besides those that would be shifted from Lady Hydari Park in Shillong.
Once the new zoo is complete, Lady Hydari Park will 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. Around Rs 3-4 crore will have to be spent for maintenance of the zoo and the animals every year.