SHILLONG, Dec 2: Forest and Environment Minister, James Sangma, on Wednesday informed that the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has given necessary clearances for the modernised zoo in Ri Bhoi district and that the work will start shortly.
In March 2019, the CZA had approved the master plan for the zoo and detailed drawings of the animal enclosures and other segments of the zoo were left to be approved by the CZA.
“This has been pending for quite a while – about 7-8 years, and because the drawings and the plans had to be duly approved by the CZA, that took time. But we got the necessary permission from the CZA and I think work will start shortly,” said the Forest and Environment Minister.
Informing that he had discussed the matter with the department, James informed that the department has gone ahead with the work.
“At least for the first phase of the zoo, the tender has been floated and the work has been allotted and the first phase is going to start shortly,” he said.
Expressing hope of completing the zoo soon, the Forest and Environment Minister said, “We hope that we can complete the work as soon as possible as we need to relocate the animals which are in enclosures at the moment, which we would consider very inhumane. We are trying our best to speed up the work and make sure we can relocate the animals there and also provide an experience for people who visit the place,” he added.
Earlier, the CAG had observed that even after 10 years of release of grants, work on the state zoo had not progressed and said the project had been marred because of “mishandling” by the State Forest and Environment Department.
In a report, the CAG mentioned that the 12th Finance Commission in 2005 had recommended a grant of Rs 30 crore to construct a zoological park at Umtrew.
Accordingly, Rs 12 crore was released to the Forest and Environment Department in 2007.
The objective was to provide conservation and breeding for endangered wild species and shelter to wild animals rescued from forests.
A modernised zoo is the need of the hour as the state is yet to have a proper zoo except for the Lady Hydari Park where half of the park area is meant for recreational activities leaving the rest half for animal enclosures.
The zoo is expected to be completed by 2022.
