Master plan for Manipur Zoo worked out
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Puyam Rameshwar
Imphal, December 03 2011:
Though the authority of Assam Zoo has given permission to get two Tigers for keeping at Manipur Zoological Garden at Iroisemba, shipping of the Tigers has been delayed as there are no adequate infrastructures like cage in the only state zoo.
Disclosing this to Hueiyen Lanpao, an official of the Forest Department, government of Manipur informed that since the status of Manipur Zoological Garden is a medium zoo, the permission of the Central Zoo Authority is to be sought first before construction of new cage for keeping the Tigers.
Nonetheless, for development of Manipur Zoological Garden, a master plan has already been submitted to the government and in case of approval of the master plan, the Zoological Garden would get the much needed facelift, the official said, adding that acquiring of Rhinoceros and Crocodiles for keeping at the state zoo is also part of the master plan.
An expert team from Central Zoo Authority had visited Manipur Zoological Garden for necessary assessment in February last, the official disclosed.
The official further pointed out that in accordance to the guidelines of Central Zoo Authority, a zoo of medium status should have 30 percent national species, 30 percent regional species and 40 percent local species.
But Manipur Zoological Garden does not have all these species though efforts are being made to induct more species.
There are around 360 species of birds in the zoo presently.
Apart from adding five adult Emus, a bird of Australian origin, in Manipur Zoological Garden since last month, four Nongins, two male and two female, which is the state bird of Manipur have also been kept in the zoo.
The two female Nongins are expected to lay eggs in the coming year, the official said, and explained that Nongins are shy and fond of peaceful place.
It is said that the number of visitors coming to Manipur Zoological Garden has been on the rise over the last couple of years and inclusion of more exotic species like Rhinoceros and Crocodile may attract even more visitors.