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| J&K govt to convert Manda deer park into full-fledged Zoo | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Sept 23: Plans are afoot to convert Manda Deer Park at Jammu into a full-fledged zoo for conservation of wildlife through collaborative research aimed at attaining management skills for in-situ population and organizing programmes for protecting wild animals and their natural habitats.
The Rs. 2.40 crore master plan which is yet to be approved by Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) envisages at giving a modern outlook to Manda deer park and expanding its catchment area from the present 60 hectares to around 120 hectares alongside making provisions for Broad taxonomical display of wild animal species of lower Western Himalaya and off-display rescue centres for Leopard and Himalayan black bear.
Official sources said that master layout plan is a detailed landscape map of existing zoo site and proposed changes in it by the department. Application of the master layout plan is intended at increasing the developmental activities in animal display area, conservation breeding area, rescue centre area, visitor circulation routes, animal upkeep and healthcare facilities including animals quarantine facilities.
The plan is aimed at creating isolation wards, visitor education facilities besides making arrangements for civic amenities, service roads, administrative blocks, entry plaza and car parking. The master plan would give a completely new look to the Manda deer park helping the authorities in keeping animals in compatible social groups, providing adequate three dimensional space for exercising normal movement behaviour patterns i.e. walking, flying and climbing.
According to the master plan prepared by the wildlife department, man power would also get multiplied. Sources disclosed that Director would be an officer of ACF level while rest of the staff would include a Veterinary Officer, RFO level Curator (animals), Education Officer/ Biologist and support staff as per needs. Plan is aimed at giving boost to the tourism potential of Jammu.
The master plan has been sent for approval to Central Zoo Authority of India and is likely to be approved within the next couple of months, informed a forest official. He added that a meeting with member secretary of CZAI is on cards. "It is at this level where the project is lying pending," added the official.
He maintained that presently, state govt sanctions Rs. 13 lakhs annually for the improvement of this park. "Diet varies from species to species which is served once or twice a day depending on the food habit of the animals. Health of animals is monitored on weekly basis. Special care is taken of the young ones of the animals in the zoo," said the official. He informed that the main attraction of the park is leopard.
"Besides this, there are around 85 different animal species which include jungle cat, civet cat, black bear, blue bull, samber, spotted deer, barking deer, goral, porcupine, peafowl, ducks, guinea fowl, turkey, cinerous vulture, eagle and owl," said the official. He disclosed that the only drawback is that animals from outside the state cannot be brought to this zoo due to the adverse climatic conditions.
"But we are trying to bring such reforms which would facilitate us in keeping some rare species from outside the state in this zoo," added the official. He maintained that there is a small hospital and laboratory for animals where doctors give medical treatment to these animals with the help of well equipped machines. "A well-equipped operation theatre for conducting operations and post-mortem of animals has also been made functional," said another forest officer of Manda Deer Park. |
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