Vizag zoo poised to get a big boost

Vizag zoo poised to get a big boost
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Visakhapatnam: Enrichment of enclosures and healthcare of animals will be major focus in the redevelopment plans of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, said senior environmental specialist from World Bank Neha Vyas while interacting with the media and others at zoo

Visakhapatnam: Enrichment of enclosures and healthcare of animals will be major focus in the redevelopment plans of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, said senior environmental specialist from World Bank Neha Vyas while interacting with the media and others at zoo here on Wednesday.

During the weeklong visit of the zoo, team from Smithsonian Institution, along with the World Bank experts, assessed the redevelopment plans after the devastation caused by 2014 Hudhud cyclone.

Neha said six consultants have sent their proposals and one of them will be finalised by end of this month.

The consultant will prepare a detailed project report middle of this year keeping in mind the recommendations made by these experts.

Smithsonian Institution has been roped in by the World Bank to support the Andhra Pradesh government in redeveloping zoo and Kambalakonda Eco Park under the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project.

Redevelopment of zoo will not be for mere recreation but also comprises conservation, Neha said. As a part of this, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology will be looking into the genetic mapping and disease prevalence among the animals.

Enclosures will be strengthened and new roads would be laid keeping in mind the physically challenged which no other zoo in Indian has done so far.

Smithsonian Institute, which has vast experience in zoo management, will develop a concept plan for both parks.

The institute and Vizag zoo will have an exchange programme under which their experts would camp here and Vizag zoo personnel would be sent to the US for adding more skills, said additional principal Chief Conservator of Forests N Prateep Kumar.

Zoo curator Vijaya Kumar said Vizag zoo has set a record in world with successful captive breeding of 42 wild dogs.

“We have plans to have collaborations with Andhra University so that the students will to take up research projects and studies, especially on captive species", he added.

He said there will be a major change in treatment of animal waste which is usually dumped in a soak pit. The experts suggested sewage treatment plant.

Senior curator of National Zoolgical Park Ed Bronikowski said he was impressed with the zoo for its space, greenery and animal care.

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