An enclosure for nocturnal animals was opened at the Nandankanan Zoological Park on the city outskirts on the occasion of its 56th Foundation day on Tuesday.
Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh inaugurated the new facility built at a cost of Rs 80 lakh. The enclosure would accommodate 12 species.
lauding the officials of the zoo for this initiative, the Minister said efforts are afoot to open a crocodile enclosure inside the zoo next year. Different foreign crocodile species from several zoos across the country would be kept inside the enclosure that would attract more tourists to the zoo, Arukh hoped.
He further said the department plans to set up a carnivorous plant garden at the Nandankanan Botanical Garden inside the zoo premises. Besides, toy train and ropeway facilities would be restored soon, he added.
Speaking about the number of footfall to the zoo, the Minister said 19 lakh people had visited the zoo in 2014-15. The number is expected to reach 30 lakh in 2015-16. He advised the zoo staffs to take proper care of the tourists and provide proper hospitality.
Forest and Environment Principal Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra thanked the staffs for proper maintenance of the zoo and assured them that steps would be taken to solve their problems in coming days.