Nandankanan Zoo to get world-class facilities including tunnel aquarium

In good news for animal lovers, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday approved a proposal by the Forest Department to transform the Nandankanan Zoo in Bhubaneswar into a world-class facility.

As per a press release from the Chief Minister’s office, the project will be undertaken under the 5T initiative of the Odisha government.

The project will be completed in two phases. While the first phase will be completed by 2025, the second phase is scheduled to be completed by 2028. While the zoo and the botanical garden will be developed in the first stage, Chudanga forest will be developed in the second phase which will include the night safari and the safari complex.

The zoo will sport a modern frontage and landscaping, a tunnel aquarium, a water bird aviary, and immersive enclosures. It will serve as a hub for the students to study nature, informed sources.

There will be activity-based zoos, nature education as well as 'Nandankanan Club' and 'Zoo Ambassador' programmes in some schools. In addition, various activities like Citizen Science, Know Your Trees etc. will be done. There will be special internship and zoo volunteer programs for the children as well.

The Nandankanan Zoo currently has 48 species of mammals, 77 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles, and six species of amphibians. There are a total of 4,012 animals of 161 species. It is now being planned to bring in more animals from different parts of the country and abroad. It is proposed to bring in Hoolock Gibbon, Pig-tailed Macaque, One Horned Rhinoceros, Capped Langur, Spectacled Monkey, Clouded Leopard etc. from the northeastern region of the country. There is also a proposal to bring Cassowary, Kangaroo, Wallby etc. from Australia.