Guwahati: Assam minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Friday inspected the redevelopment of the state zoo and inaugurated the 72nd Wildlife Week.Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden is being redeveloped as a “world-class wildlife destination” at an estimated cost of Rs 340 crore, the minister said.Mallabaruah, who holds the environment and forest portfolio, reviewed the ongoing construction and development work. He said the state govt was developing modern infrastructure and visitor facilities while preserving the zoo’s natural environment.“The ongoing redevelopment would significantly improve the zoo’s profile and help establish it as a prominent zoological destination both nationally and globally. The zoo’s natural surroundings provided an important advantage in developing a distinctive wildlife experience for visitors,” the minister said.“With several new additions, we are rebuilding the zoo, and once the work is completed, I believe we will be able to transform it into a leading zoo, not only in India but also internationally,” he added.The project includes a large bird aviary, which the minister said could potentially become one of the world’s largest, and a toy train to help visitors tour the sprawling complex.The redevelopment is progressing at a satisfactory pace, Mallabaruah said, adding that the proposed facilities could take visible shape over the next three to four months. Completing the project, however, would take more time.Forest department officials have visited zoological parks in Bengaluru and Chennai to study their facilities and incorporate relevant practices into the Assam project, he added.
