In pursuit of creating a model of
excellence in wildlife conservation and public engagement, the Assam Government
has allocated an impressive budget of Rs 350 crore for the overall development
of the Assam State Zoo in capital city Guwahati.
The mega project extends beyond the
animal kingdom, with plans for a dedicated children’s park and a specialized
animal hospital as well which will be developed with stipulated time of 4.5
years, informed CM Himanta.
Additionally, the government will
establish state-of-the-art zoos in both Kaziranga and Dibrugarh, promising an
enriched experience for visitors.
A remarkable aspect of the initiative is
the adoption of personal responsibility for animal care, ensuring a holistic
approach to the well-being of the zoo’s inhabitants.
CM Himanta stated that the Indian Oil
Corporation (IOC) will be taking on the responsibility for the welfare of the
one-horned rhinos in the zoo.
He emphasized that the private sector
has the potential to assume animal care responsibilities.
First giraffe calf born in Guwahati Zoo
named ‘Parijat’ by CM Himanta
Meanwhile, CM Himanta christened the first
giraffe calf born in the Assam State Zoo as ‘Parijat’, selected from hundreds
of suggestions on social media. The ceremony was organised in the zoo, where the
male calf was born on November 16.
Underlining a commitment to animal
welfare, he also informed that two dedicated veterinarians will ensure optimal
care, while state-of-the-art enclosures will provide a habitat conducive to the
well-being of the zoo’s residents.
“The calf was rejected by its mother
after birth. She refused to feed it. We called in Tushar Kulkarni, an expert in
this field from Mumbai. Under his guidance, our team here has taken good care
of the calf and it is completely healthy,” he said.
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