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Zoo aquarium at Nandankanan

— Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

Water world: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Ajit Patnaik, the director of NZP, looking at the zoo aquarium on Monday.

BHUBANESWAR: Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP), which houses a rich fauna, on Monday, it got another reason to boast of. The NZP has now acquired the first ever Zoo Aquarium in the country.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the aquarium, which was equipped with well-researched education material on the all types of aquatic ecosystem. “Though zoos are ideally positioned to contribute significantly for conservation of wild species by combining the animal husbandry, breeding particularly for the small population whose numbers are either declining or going to be extinct in nature, in the modern zoo aquarium is an integral part and plays a vital role in conveying the message of conservation needs of the aquatic species,” NZP Director Ajit Pattnaik said. Ahmedabad-based Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and Ministry of Environment and Forests supported setting up the Zoo aquarium at Nandankanan.

“Altogether 14 aquariums with latest concept, techniques and gadgets have been set up. All these aquariums are equipped with in-situ filtration and recycling mechanism,” Mr. Pattnaik said. Out 14 aquariums, four are marine ecology and the rest 10 are fresh water aquaria equipped with titanium chillers. The two large size marine aquariums are of 3.5 meters length and 0.9 meter-width and rest two is of 2.4 metre length and 0.9 metre width.

“One fresh water aquarium represents the fish fauna of Kanjia Lake ,” Mr. Pattnaik said. He also inaugurated an enclosure, developed over an area of five acre of forests to provide a natural ambience for the elephants. “The enclosure is having the important components like natural vegetation, water hole and adequate space for the movement of the animals. The new enclosure would stimulate their natural behaviour,” the NZP director said. Moreover, a visitor shelter was provided at an elevated point for better viewing and to maintain the safe distance between the visitors and the animals.

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