Wait for international zoo lingers on
despite appointment of a foreign consultant, the project may take a decade to complete
ashwin aghor


the ambitious state forest department project to create a zoo of international standard at the gorewada forest reserve near nagpur is likely to be delayed. despite numerous announcements by politicians, the government machinery is not prepared for the project's implementation.

a forest ministry source said that after much debate on the appointment of a foreign consultant for the project, the state government had reportedly finalised the appointment of bernard harrison and friends ltd. the consultancy company floated by the former director of the singapore zoo, bernard harrison, will now carry the project forward. however, senior officials in the ministry felt that it will be almost a decade before the project materialises.
the state government has already formed a special team of 55 forest department officials, headed by conservator of forest jarnail singh. funds to the tune of rs22.5 lakh have been earmarked for the functioning of the team.

given the current circumstances and indulgence of wildlife lovers, it will prove to be an uphill task for the forest department to complete the project, a senior forest department official said. it is reported that harrison had a meeting with senior forest department officials on september 28. department joint secretary rajendra mangrulkar said,"the consultant will submit a revised proposal for making the project's master plan within a fortnight. the process will begin only after the state government approves the proposal."

the project was conceived in 2001. after much debate, goregaon in mumbai and gorewada near nagpur were finalised as the possible locations to construct a zoo. however, given the shortage of land at goregaon, the project was shifted to gorewada. it took the state government six years to arrive at a consensus on the appointment of a consultant for the project. when contacted, singh said, "the idea is to create a zoo with facilities like wildlife safari, bio-park, tribal centre, interpretation centre, conservation breeding centre and wildlife rescue centre." the proposed zoo will also serve as a conservation centre of the bio-diversity found in the central highlands.

though a team of 55 officers has been appointed for the project, the number will go up to 350 once the zoo is commissioned. singh said according to estimates, the project will cost rs300 crore, which will be invested in a phased manner over the next 10 years.

Publication : DNA; Section : mumbai; Pg : 7; Date : 5/10/07


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