PATNA: If all things go well — and, there is no scope for the plan going haywire since it is deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi’s baby — Patna’s Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park (SGBP) would not only have a new look, but also adequately provided with new attractions for the visitors.
This transpired on Saturday during the review meeting of the forest and environment department that Modi also heads. The new attractions include two new fountains, a floating fountain in its lake, Rhino Safari Vehicle to have a close look at rhinos, and construction of a Nature Interpretation Centre, along with an auditorium with a seating arrangement for 100 people, where visitors would have the facility to see films on wildlife and nature’s mysteries.
As many as 20 lakh visitors go round the SGBP annually, and thereby, yield revenue to the park’s management, since the entry is allowed only through tickets. Besides, fee is also collected from the city’s elite sections who become park’s members and also enjoy morning walk. Given the rush to the park, the department has also created two other parks in its vicinity to off load pressure on SGBP. The visitors to SGBP include nature and wildlife watchers, women and children, as well as lovebirds.
The SGBP is spread over 153 acres and was started in 1969, and for long, it has been considered Patna’s heart or lungs, now more ardently, since Gandhi Maidan has lost its lustre in this regard and is also ill-maintained. CM Nitish Kumar, in the circumstances, has also shown interest to develop and beautify Gandhi Maidan.
However, Modi has seemingly envisioned the roadmap to develop SGBP, and has instructed the officials of forest and environment department to take up the matter on priority basis. Accordingly, a group of the department’s forest and environment officials would be visiting other such zoos and parks in other states to assess and record popular attractions there, as well as methods and means adopted to maintain wildlife and nature’s attributes.
The SGBP development plan also includes beautification of aquarium, space and rescue centres for the maintenance and upkeep of reptiles and wildlife, as well as lake. All the developmental and beautification activities would be conducted in a manner that does not violate the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority. The team of officials would also explore the exchange of wildlife from zoos in other states.
Read more: Patna zoo to have new attractions – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-zoo-to-have-new-attractions-/articleshow/7044934.cms#ixzz17Mca3piU