Saturday, August 31, 2019

Gorakhpur zoo might get a 150-acre green zone

The Gorakhpur zoo is one of the priority projects of the Yogi Adityanath government
LUCKNOW: With its entrance designed like Gorakhnath Temple and buildings as pagodas, Gorakhpur zoo, the priority project of the Yogi government, might get even bigger with over 150 acre of land getting added to it.
As of now, the horseshoe-shaped zoo is 121 acres in size. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed to develop a 150-acre land that lies in between as a biodiversity zone.
Though a final decision on the management of the land is yet to be taken, if added to the zoo, the 150-acre green belt will give scenic and environmental value to Gorakhpur zoo.
Meanwhile, the estimated cost of the project has also increased. In its latest proposal submitted to the state government, the executing agency, Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, has pegged the cost of the project at Rs 282 crore. The approved cost of the project is Rs 208 crore. Sources said the cost has increased due to revision in the plan which includes bringing a toy train mounted on rubber tyres, removing high-tension lines passing over the area and supplementing the design of enclosures for bigger inmates like Asiatic lion and rhinocerous.
The theme of the construction is inspired from Gorakhnath Temple and Buddhist culture. While the entrance plaza has been modelled on Gorakhnath Temple, the cafeteria, administrative building and facade of the hospital and kiosks may look like pagodas. At least 60% construction has been completed. The deadline for the project is December 2019.
“We might need at least six months after that to bring the animals, put them in quarantine and then into their defined enclosures,” said sources.
Among the highlights of the zoo is a naturally occurring 40-acre water body.
“It’s part of the Ramgarh Taal. It has been left untouched as many water birds come visiting the wetland,” said a source. A very dense forest with canopy density of 100% spanning over 30 acres is another highlight.
Gorakhpur zoo is a government-funded project. It was proposed in 2009. While it was approved by the Central Zoo Authority in 2010, it lost focus of the SP government that had on their priority the Etawah Lion Safari.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/gorakhpur-zoo-might-get-a-150-acre-green-zone/articleshow/70877264.cms

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