EArly times Report
Jammu, Oct 1: With suspended work resumed recently, the much-awaited project ‘Jambu Zoo’ is all set to meet the deadline of December 2021.
Though previous deadlines were not met due to funds shortage, local issues and COVID-19 pandemic but the work suspended has finally resumed and is in progress on war footing to meet the December 2021 deadline.
The Zoo is coming up in an area of 227 hectares here on city outskirts along Jammu-Srinagar national highway at an estimated cost of Rs 121 crores and developed by the State Forest Department.
“The first phase of the Zoo being established at an amount of Rs 62.41 crore out of which 25 per cent of the work is complete,” Amit Sharma, Additional Wildlife Warden, here said.
The Phase-I work included activities in the zoo-like water reservoir, leopard closures, fencing, circular restaurant, public amenities while the plantation of trees and ornamental plants has also been done by the department on a war footing.
The facilities like water tanks, caves, aviary, ponds, cafeteria, road connectivity are near completion, said the DFO adding, “after J&K became Union Territory and all Central Laws were implemented here, the Zoo was approved under the languishing project and discussed by the Central Zoo Authority.”
“Further, Rs 49 crore funding was approved by the Authority vis-à-vis the designs as the master layout plan was submitted in January this year and a green signal as given clearing all hiccups.”
Mr Sharma further said that Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal tiger, Black Beer, Marsh Crocodile, Black Bugs, Ghadiyal will be the main attractions in the upcoming Zoo.
“It will also have reptile chambers hosting the poisonous and non-poisonous snake,” said an official.
Jambu Zoo will be one of the biggest in north India and will also have an open amusement theatre and park for children besides battery-operated cars and bicycles for the visitors.
Once completed, it will be a landmark step for giving a boost to the tourism of the Jammu region, he added. |
