The Hindu : Front Page : Zoological park near Tiruchi: layout approved

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Sunday, Oct 19, 2008
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Zoological park near Tiruchi: layout approved

R. Rajaram

It will be inside M.R. Palayam Reserve Forest
Funds to be given by Central Zoo Authority and State Government

TIRUCHI: The Central Zoo Authority has approved a detailed layout of the zoological park to be established by the State Forest Department inside the sprawling Reserve Forest at M.R. Palayam, near here.

The zoo will spread over 300 acres inside the M.R. Palayam reserve forest, whose total area is about 266 hectares, with the Forest Department making provisions in their plan for future development as well. As per the plan, the Forest Department authorities have proposed to establish eight percolation ponds, seven ponds and check dams across the jungle stream which runs inside the RF area to store water and improve the ground water table inside the zoo.

The zoo would be set up with funds shared by the Central Zoo Authority, an autonomous statutory body under the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, and the State government.

The zoo will also have a veterinary hospital, dedicated parking lots, a restaurant, rest house, administrative area and a separate area for disposal of carcass, Forest Department officials told The Hindu here on Saturday.

The Central Zoo Authority has already released a sum of Rs.40 lakh for the construction of a compound wall around the zoo, which will come up adjoining the Tiruchi–Chennai national highway. The department officials expect the compound wall construction work with chain link fencing to be completed before the end of March.

The officials said animals including deer, sloth bear, Indian gaur, elephant, wild dog, hyena and hippopotamus besides peacock, monkey, salt and fresh water crocodiles, swamp birds and different types of snakes, would be housed in the zoo.

Animals from the mini zoos which had been closed in the State and those in excess in the existing zoological parks would be trans-located to the new zoo, said the officials.

Saplings would be planted inside the zoo to create a natural habitat for the animals.

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