Experts suggest changes to zoological park layout

In deference to suggestions offered by experts representing the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), the Forest Department will modify the layout and master plan for the upcoming zoological park at M.R.Palayam abutting the Tiruchi-Chennai National Highway, off the city.

The modified layout and master plan will be forwarded by this month-end through the State government to the CZA, an autonomous statutory body under the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests which regulates the functioning of zoos across the country, Forest Department officials here said.

Expressing satisfaction over the location of the zoological park , the experts advocated retention of maximum greenery inside the sprawling reserve forest area where the zoo is to come up. The zoological park sprawling over 60 hectares would house over 500 animals of 50 species. The landscaping will be based on six diverse ecosystems - ‘kurinji', ‘mullai', ‘neithal, ‘paalai', ‘marudham' and ‘yavanam'.

The ‘kurinji' enclosure housing carnivores such as lion, tiger and panther should be in the front portion of the zoo to generate interest among the visitors, the expert team has suggested. While suggesting composite enclosures for each ecosystem, the experts have also advised keeping of exotic species such as kangaroo, malay tapie, white ant gibbon and orangutan inside the ‘yavanam' type ecosystem. Establishment of recycling plant to treat waste water for reuse, tie up with a veterinary institution and taking the assistance of an architect for landscaping and enclosure designs were among the other suggestions.

The visit by Dr. S.C. Sharma, former Additional Director General (Wild Life), Government of India, and Braj Kishore Gupta, a Scientist on Wild Life matters, both team members of the CZA, comes at a time when the comprehensive master plan for the zoo prepared by the Forest Department has been submitted for final approval by the Authority.

The Conservator of Forests, Tiruchi Circle, Ramachandrapathi and Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry, Tiruchi, Deepak Srivasthava, accompanied the experts . The experts also held discussions with the Chief Wildlife Warden at Chennai .The Forest Department has already constructed compound wall with chain link fencing along the five kilometre zoo boundary at a cost of Rs.81 lakh shared equally by the CZA and the State government.

A proposal seeking Rs.2 crore has already been forwarded to the State government for laying of roads , construction of administrative office, and check dams.