All animals kept at the Phan Nonglait Park, earlier known as Lady Hydari Park, will be relocated to the newly constructed State Zoological Park at Umtrew in Ri Bhoi.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today directed the Forest and Environment Department to work on the relocation by the end of June.
“We are in the process of moving the animals from the park to the new zoo, which is almost complete. By June, we should be able to transfer most of the animals to their new enclosures,” the Chief Minister said.
The park is currently home to several animals on display but once these are moved in the next few months to the dedicated and as yet unopened zoo, the space they occupy will be used for parking.
“After the relocation, we will begin the renovation of the entire park, including the addition of numerous facilities. Additionally, some areas will be converted into a parking lot to help alleviate congestion in the city.”
The road outside the park is crowded with vehicles, tourists and school children most days. “The entire process of revamping this park has already been planned. This initiative is aimed at reducing congestion in Shillong city,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that as part of the plan, some space will also be allocated to the Shillong Civil Hospital, situated adjacent to the park, in order to increase its capacity and facilities.
It may be noted that land of 72 hectares for the State Zoo at Umtrew was acquired in 2001 and the Central Zoo Authority has given its approval for the State Zoo which will have eight enclosures.
Previously, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reported that despite receiving grants 10 years ago, work on the state zoo had not progressed, attributing the delay to mishandling by the state Forest and Environment department.
The CAG’s report indicated that the 12th Finance Commission recommended a grant of Rs 30 crore to construct the zoo in 2005.
Subsequently, Rs 12 crore was released to the Forest and Environment department in 2007.
The construction of the zoo was estimated at around Rs 35 crore. The foundation stone for the zoo was laid by Sangma in October 2019.
The objective of the project is to provide conservation and breeding facilities for endangered wild species and shelter for wild animals rescued from forests.
