EMN
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 7
The sole Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP) is vying to be conferred a ‘model zoo’ amongst 25 zoos across the state. For this, work is on progress on a war footing to upgrade it to national standard as well as emerge as one of the best in the north east of India. On Friday, the State Forest Minister, Y Patton literally set the agenda in motion by trekking the length and breadth of the park and inspected the ongoing developmental projects. Y Patton had also surveyed the ongoing enclosure projects for tigers, Langurs and Barking Deer. Patton expressed satisfaction with the pace of development taking place and stated that NZP has the best landscape for setting up a zoo in entire Asia.
Stating that there is a political will to develop NZP into a national standard, he was optimistic that the Central Zoo Authority will soon confer upon as one model zoo amongst other 25 existing zoos in the country.He said the repair of damaged portions of the peripheral wall due to wear and tear will be prioritized before the onset of monsoon.
Meanwhile, officials informed that permission has been obtained from the Central Zoo Authority of India for the exchange of two Royal Bengal Tigers from Thiruvanathanpuram, Kerala, for two Himalayan Black Beers from Nagaland. Proposal is also afoot to transform the water body at NZP into a recreation centre both for migratory birds and the public. The department of Irrigation and Flood Control Department has agreed to undertake the work.
If the proposed plan materialise as envisaged, NZP will soon become a centre of research, education, recreation, conservation and re-introduction (breeding centre for endangered animals). Presently, the department has introduced a Deer Safari in NZP.
Earlier in the morning, Y Patton had a meeting with the three village councils at Piphema village in order to find an alternative site for the department office. The meeting was necessitated as the proposed four lanes Kohima – Dimapur road was likely to affect the existing office.
It was informed that village council chairmen of Piphema Old, Piphema New and Piphema ‘A’ have assured to allocate suitable site for the department which will be made known shortly to the department. It was made known to the chairmen that the department would require atleast 5 acres necessary for nursery beds and preferably by the stream to water the plants. The Minister was accompanied by host of dignitaries including Additional Principal Conservator of Forest, Chief Wildlife Warden and other functionaries.
He also inspected the ongoing shopping mall construction site at Forest Colony, Dimapur.
