Bhubaneswar, Aug 24: Visitors will now have the unique opportunity to observe and admire animals at the Nandankanan Zoological Park even after dusk. A master plan to extend the visiting hours of the Nandankanan Zoo has been presented to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). This initiative aims to allow the public to enjoy the zoo for a specified period, from 6 pm to 7 pm or 7 pm to 8 pm.
In accordance with the directives of the Government of India, a master plan has been devised. Earlier, all zoo authorities used to submit a master plan for 10 years, but this time the master plan has been submitted for 20 years, informed PCCF (Principal Chief Conservator of Forests), Sushil Kumar Popli on Wednesday.
According to Popli, a proposal has been given in the master plan for the expansion of the area of Nandankanan Zoo by adding Krushnaprasad and Chudanga forest areas. As a result, the total area of Nandankan Zoo will be 1,043 hectares.
“A proposal for allowing night visits to the zoo has been mooted. As per the proposal, we will allow visitors during late evening hours for educational awareness. Films will also be shown and selected people will be allowed to walk around enclosures of nocturnal animals. All these proposals are subject to government approval,” said Popli.
As of now, Nandankanan authorities have conveyed that the zoo authorities a diverse collection of 167 species, comprising over 4000 animals. There are plans to increase the number of animal species to 250.
There are proposals for enhancements, introduction of fresh enclosures, and the establishment of a safari experience.
