Mysuru: Forest Minister B Ramanath Rai inaugurated the development works including a new entrance gate and separate enclosures for carnivorous animals.
The newly-built entrance gate for the lion and leopard enclosures and other developmental works taken up under Jawaharlal National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) were inaugurated by the Minister.
Speaking on low key Dasara celebrations, minister said that it is good thought by the government and it will not affect tourism in a big way. Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens or the Mysuru Zoo will become one of the best and well-equipped zoos in the country in coming days, he said.
“The ultimate aim is to make this zoo a unique place for man-animal co-existence and also to make it one of the best zoos in the country. According to the guidelines issued by the Zoo Authority of India, development can take place only phase by phase as it should not disturb the animals,” said the minister.
Earlier, leopards and lions used to be in the southern portion of the zoo towards the Race Course Road. Now both of them have been shifted to new enclosures on either side of the tiger house.
The area is called mega-carnivorous zone which has been done as per different themes approved in the master plan. The mega-carnivorous zone has been built with Rs one crore and has wider space when compared to the earlier location.
“The mega-carnivorous zone will ensure that there is more space for tigers, leopards and lions and all these have special security features”, he added.
Rai also said that the government will take steps to remove resorts inside the forests in the state. “If you spot any resort inside the forest alert the authorities. We will take steps to remove them within 24 hours,” he said.
There is no controversy in the KZA case:
On the controversy brewing between the Karnataka Zoo Authority Chairman Rehana Banu and the Mysuru Zoo executive director B P Ravi, the minister said that there was no controversy. “They are working fine and who told you that there is a controversy,” the minister questioned reporters.
In her statement to the media, Rehana Banu had alleged that Ravi was cooperating with the regulating body that has been constituted by the state government.
Revenue and District In-Charge Minister V Srinivas Prasad, Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, Mayor R Lingappa, Deputy Mayor Mahadevamma, MCC Commissioner Dr C G Betsurmath, ZP President Dr Pushpavathy Amarnath and MUDA Chairman Mohan Kumar were present.
