Bhubaneswar: If all goes well, the people will have the opportunity to visit Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) in Odisha capital here at night. The Forest department has submitted a master plan in this regard before the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), reports stated.
At present, the people are allowed to visit the zoo till 5 pm. The Forest department has submitted a proposal before the CZA to keep the zoo open for visitors till 8 pm, sources said. As per the plan, there will be night safari facility at NZP.
In the master plan, the Forest department has also proposed to expand the zoo by including Krushna Nagar and Choodanga forests under its ambit. The geographical area of zoo will go up to 1,043 hectare after the expansion.
The state government, in June this year, had decided to transform NZP into a world-class zoo.
The developmental work at NZP would be carried out in two phases. Nandankanan and Botanical Garden would be developed in the first phase from 2023-25. Night safari, safari complex and other facilities will be developed at nearby Choodanga forest in the second phase from 2025-28, sources said.
The zoo will have tunnel aquarium, water bird aviary, immersive enclosures, modern frontage, landscaping and other advanced facilities for the visitors as part of the developmental project.
