Singapore Company bids for Gorewada Zoo
Forest Department received the much-awaited final master plan for the ambitious Gorewada Zoo of international standard from Barnard Harrison and Friends Company of Singapore and it submitted to the State Government for its approval this week.
The master plan has given details of the programmes to be taken up in four phases on 1885 hectares of forest land at Gorewada situated on the outskirts of the city. This international standard zoo would prove to be a major attraction for citizens and tourists after completion. The zoo includes development of zoo, bio-park, night safari, African safari, breeding centre, educational centre, walking trails, interpretation centre, rescue centre etc. Wild animals such as tigers, lions, leopards, crocodiles, herbivores and attractive birds would be kept in enclosures and open area with moats. Some area would be left for buffer purpose. Reliable sources informed that the total project would involve a cost of Rs. 725 crores. The actual work of this project would be taken up after green signal by the State Government. There could be a possibility of the government making any modification, if it feels so. The estimates for different works would then be prepared for taking up the project. It may be mentioned here that the Forest Department had floated tenders in 2007 but the Finance Department had raised certain objections about bidding process. Therefore, the department had to float the tenders afresh that consumed much time for making the formalities complete. Barnard Harrison and Friends Company of Singapore, an internationally known consultants for zoos and safaris, was finally selected as the consultants for the purpose. The firm had submitted a draft plan for the master plan in November last to the department which discussed and suggested certain modifications. The firm included modifications and prepared the final master plan. The concept of having an international standard zoo at Nagpur was floated by Forest Minister Babanrao Pachpute during 2004 winter session of Maharashtra Legislature at Nagpur and State Government had earmarked Rs. One crore for preparation of basic blue print. The top political leaders and forest officials had also toured several international zoos before finalising the plan. In its last year the Democratic Front government is expected to give a fresh impetus to Gorewada zoo project.
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