SHILLONG: The state forest department expects the pace of work for a modern zoo in Ri Bhoi district to pick up once the Central Zoo Authority approves the necessary designs of enclosures and lay-out plans for the project.
An official said land for the project was acquired in 2011 while the 12th Finance Commission granted Rs 30 crore for it.
The state government in the subsequent years received Rs 12 crore for utilisation. The department has already utilised Rs 3.2 crore for the construction of a boundary wall and internal road.
Officials informed that architects were on the job to prepare the design of the enclosures after which the proposal would be sent to the authority for its approval. Once the project is commissioned, the mini zoo located in the heart of the city will be closed and all the 22 species will be transferred to the new zoo. The entire Lady Hydari Park will be developed into a lawn.
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.
Climatic conditions of the state will be taken into consideration while deciding on the animals to be brought to the zoo from outside. Around Rs 3-4 crore will have to be spent for maintenance of the zoo and animals every year. The project has been delayed due to stringent guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority.
