JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on his visit to the Jambu Zoo at Nagrota reviewed the facilities being provided to the visitors there besides the overall functioning of the Zoological Park thrown open for the public last year.
While making his observations, the Chief Secretary made out that the footfall to this facility needs to be improved in view of the attractions available here. He observed that the school children and other nature lovers could also be imparted with awareness about animals, their behaviour and salient features related to them.
Dr Mehta also maintained that the footfall to the Zoo could also be increased by making visitors coming to the city aware of its features and location. He noted that there is no advertisement before the Zoo to attract onlookers.
He impressed upon the authorities that in order to make the tourists aware of this attraction, big permanent hoardings at the Airport, Railway Station and enroute should be installed to attract the attention of visitors. He also advised that lakhs of pilgrims visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine need to be encouraged to stop by for refreshments here as the Zoo falls on their route to the cave shrine.
Dr Mehta also took note of the closed cafeteria and Nature Interpretation Centre on the campus. He called for making both these facilities functional forthwith so that people coming to the Zoo find it all-inclusive and informative. He also told them to make available the traditional foods of Jammu in the Cafeteria including those made from Millet as these are healthy and in demand all over the nation.
While visiting different animal enclosures, the Chief Secretary complimented the staff for keeping all the animals in good shape. He asked them to take care of all these animals to keep them healthy and lively. Regarding other interventions, he suggested that the Tiger could be brought in easily by the 15th and Lion by the 25th of October vey easily. He remarked that such animals are liked by most of the people and would allure most of the visitors including children. He enjoined upon them to consider bringing in the Hippopotamus as an added attraction to the Zoological Park.
The Chief Secretary also remarked that given the hot weather of Jammu in the Summer season, the authorities should envisage keeping the Zoo open for the public in the morning and evening hours too. He enjoined upon them to think in terms of opening the Zoo from 7.00-10.00 am in the morning and 5.00-9.00 pm during hot weather days so that people have some cool place to visit during this weather.
He also took note of some sinking portions of land there. He directed for roping in the concerned experts for its careful study and suggested some low-cost remedial measures to address this issue at the earliest.
Those who accompanied him on the occasion included the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF); the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Deputy Commissioner, Jammu; Chief Wild Life Warden; Zoo Manager besides other concerned officers of the Department.
