By Our Correspondent
SAMBALPUR:The natural beauty of Sambalpur Zoo is very attractive. The double engine government has recently decided to develop it from a small to a mid-sized zoo. The first phase of this development work has been started at a cost of about Rs 5 crore, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while laying the foundation stone of various projects at Sambalpur Zoo on Monday.
Shri Pradhan laid the foundation stone of the tiger enclosure, magar enclosure and gharial enclosure of Sambalpur Zoo. He said that our aim is to make ‘Sambalpur Zoo’ one of the major tourism and attraction centers of Odisha. A policy decision has been taken to convert this ‘small zoo’ into a ‘mid-size zoo’. For this, the district administration is planning to consolidate the 35 hectares of land required from the government department and form the Sambalpur Zoo Authority.
Currently, there are striped tigers in this zoo and the visitors get the opportunity to see them through the glass house. After the construction of the new glass enclosure here, the authorities plan to bring two pairs or four Royal Bengal tigers here. Currently, this zoo has more than 70 animals and birds, arrangements will be made to accommodate more birds in the coming days. Today’s step is a symbol of our strong commitment towards wildlife conservation. The development of the zoo will make it a nationally attractive tourist destination. Many tourists will be attracted to see rare animals like tigers, leopards and cheetahs.
Shri Pradhan said that the zoo is an open school of environmental education. Students and the general public can learn about the animal world up close through these enclosures. The newly constructed enclosures will create awareness about the need to save animals. This will increase the number of tourists and strengthen the local business and economy. New employment opportunities will be created for many youth. Along with this, there are plans to increase tourist facilities in the rock art areas of Hirakud, Debrigarh, Ushakothi and Bhimmandal in Sambalpur district and showcase the district’s handicrafts, textiles, crafts, food and the temple of Maa Samaleswari, said Shri Pradhan.
