Ri Bhoi zoo likely by 2023-end: James

SHILLONG, Oct 12: The upcoming zoo in Ri Bhoi district, the construction of which is under way, is likely to see the light of day by the end of 2023.
Informing this, Forest and Environment Minister, James Sangma, said that enclosures for animals, which is included in the first phase of construction, are nearly completed.
In the second phase, the state government will construct the ticketing counter, parking and approach road to the zoo, it was informed.
“We are hopeful of inaugurating the zoo by the end of next year as there are different challenges like COVID-19 and others,” the minister informed.
Last year, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) had given necessary clearances for the modernised zoo in Ri Bhoi.
Earlier, the CAG had observed that despite 10 years of release of grants, work on the state zoo has not progressed. It had also said that the project was marred because of “mishandling” by the State Forest and Environment Department.
In a report, the Comptroller and Auditor General (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 facilities for endangered wildlife species and shelter the wild animals rescued from forests.
A modernised zoo is the need of the hour as the state is yet to have a proper zoo apart from the Lady Hydari Park where half of the park area is meant for recreational activities, leaving the rest of the area for animal enclosures.