₹250-crore Zoological Park near completion; minor works to finish by end of March

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The grand Zoological Park, set to become a landmark of Marathwada, has entered its final phase. Construction has been underway since 2018 on a 100-hectare site at Mitmita. Even after completion by the end of March, the relocation of all animals from the Siddharth Garden Zoo will not be possible immediately, as the zoo will remain at the garden campus until dense vegetation develops.

Under the Smart City Mission initiative, the decision was taken to build the park at the base of the Mitmita hills. The site, allotted by the revenue department, faced several challenges, including encroachments and lack of proper roads. It took two years for Smart City and the municipal corporation to resolve these issues. True construction of the park began in 2021, starting with land levelling, followed by building animal enclosures.

A year ago, all enclosures, the office building, ticket counters, water pipelines, electricity supply, and internal roads were completed. Only 4–5 per cent of civil work remains. Pathways and other minor works for visitors are expected to be finished by the end of March, said project manager Imran Khan. In collaboration with a private company, over 8,000 large trees have been planted in the last two months, and planting of smaller trees has begun. Lawn work will commence within the next eight days.

Natural habitat for the animals

The park is located in a hilly area where summers can be hot. Dense tree plantations have been carried out so that animals will be shielded from excessive heat in the future, while also providing them with a more natural habitat.

Approval from CZA required

Currently, there are over 250 wildlife animals at Siddharth Garden Zoo. Before relocating them to the new park, approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is mandatory. Officials will conduct inspections before giving the final decision, sources said.