Restoration works in full swing at zoo

Bahadurpura: The zoo authorities informed that the restoration works were taken up following damage caused by huge onset of heavy rain followed by strong winds, which resulted in falling of huge trees on Saturday.

According to zoo officials, following clearing up of the pathways, they began operating battery and safari vehicles and toy train from Sunday. Given the weekend, the visitors and the citizens were requested to cooperate with the zoo management.

On Saturday evening, there was a downpour followed by strong winds which felled huge trees of neem, tamarind, babul, cassia, gulmohar, peltophorum. Around 50 to 60 trees were uprooted and at places huge branches fell off causing extensive damage to the power lines and visitor pathways.

"Immediate measures were taken to evacuate the visitors duly engaging all the battery vehicles, safari buses and all vehicles of zoo. The Curator, Deputy Curator, Assistant Curators and entire zoo staff have taken part in evacuating all the visitors safely outside the zoo. Additional PCCF (wildlife) Munindra personally monitored the visitor evacuation process. The parking area is also extensively damaged," informed the Curator, N Kshitija.

It may be mentioned here that in the aftermath of the strong winds on Saturday, a huge branch broke from the tree and fell off resulting in the death of Nikath Sultana, 60, a resident of Puppalaguda in Manikonda.

The victim was sitting under a huge tree when the mishap occurred. After the matter was brought to the higher authorities by zoo officials, the government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased. A few injured visitors were also given first aid. In view of the large-scale uprooting of trees and falling of broken branches, some facilities were restricted.