The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is all set to don a new look with the Detailed Project Report, under the World Bank funded AP Disaster Recovery Project (APDRP) post cyclone Hudhud, getting to the final stages. The work is expected to begin by the beginning of the next financial year. The DPR has proposed a complete facelift for the entrance of the zoo park, among several other re-modifications and developments.
“The zoo will get a U-shaped entry gate enabling better dispersal movement for visitors, there is also a proposal to increase three more entry ticket counters. As of now, there is only one. It takes very crowded during peak season,” zoo curator B. Vijay Kumar told The Hindu .
A new entry gate for administration staff, a new building for curator’s office along with a conference room, a biologist’s office, one surveillance room with CCTV cameras will be a part of the DPR.
“We are also mulling a multi-layer parking zone. At the entrance, there will be an orientation centre where visitors will be briefed about the dos and don’ts and highlights of the zoo along with brochures,” the curator added.
The zoo will also get a large aquarium offering a peep into the vast aquatic life of the region.
This apart, the zoo authorities are planning to implement a series of measures to make the zoo eco-friendly with a 100 percent plastic-free zone and follow zero waste management strategies. To begin with, a vermicompost project will be initiated shortly.
“At present, the quantity of waste generated at animal enclosures is very large; these are collected at a pit within the zoo premises and not only remain unutilised but result in an unhygienic condition especially during monsoons. We plan to create a small vermicompost project with the dung generated from herbivores and other animals. A team of three to four people will be trained in this,” Mr Kumar said.
As of now Mysore zoo is leading in its vermicompost project model which has a very high demand and sold for ₹ 50 per kg. The curator recently visited Mysore for the annual zoo directors’ conference. Plans are there to also start worm culturing and put the pheasants in the zoo on worm diet in view of nurturing health and breeding of birds.
In order to make zoo 100 percent plastic-free, soon visitors will be given paper bags at the entrance. Currently, an amount of ₹ 10 is taken as deposit against each plastic bottle which is refunded at the exit on returning the bottle. To enhance visitor’s experience in the zoo, a guide system is being planned.
“Our plan is to start paid guide services that the visitors can avail of at the entrance. This apart, we want to station trained guides at major enclosures,” the curator added. The zoo also plans to hike entry ticket rates during peak tourist season in line with other major zoos such as Mysore.
