‘Go green’ seems to be the Coimbatore Corporation’s new mantra. For, the civic body has engaged an environment organisation in designing its new theme park and zoo to make them environment and also people friendly.
According to senior officials in the Corporation, the civic body has asked Environmentalist Foundation of India, Chennai, to prepare a new design for the theme park and zoo, both of which the Corporation is planning to build at the Coimbatore Central Prison grounds it will soon takeover.
This was after the Foundation’s members approached the Corporation to design the two on a voluntary basis.
The Corporation will soon acquire 45 acre from the State Home Department to develop the Coimbatore Corporation Zoo on 25 acre, theme park on 12.5 acre and indoor stadium on six acre.
At present, the Zoo functions from 4.5 acre plot.
Simultaneously, the Corporation will also float tenders for the new Zoo.
When the selected agency comes up with the design, it will be improved with the plan submitted by the Foundation and then sent to the Central Zoo Authority for approval.
Objective Arun Krishnamurthy of the Foundation says that the objective is to provide as natural an environment possible for the animals with friendly atmosphere for the visitors. Care will be taken to ensure that the animals are not disturbed.
As for the theme park, the Foundation will prepare the new design in such a way that there is lot of greenery, it gives emphasis on visitors doing a lot of activity and gaining experience, it does not have only entertainment facility and enriches visitors.
As the new theme park will be next to the proposed zoo, care will be taken to ensure one complements the other.
The Corporation sources say that at present the civic body is keen on taking over the land and it may happen soon after election.
Once that is done, it will get clearance and funds from the State Government for developing the Zoo and theme park.
The two facilities are expected to increase the city’s environment quotient, which otherwise has a poor ranking.