Patna, Nov. 8: Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park authorities will seek help from experts and use state-of-the-art technologies such as Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping for the zoo’s future development.

The zoo officials took this decision after Central Zoo Authority (CZA) returned the former’s 10-year master plan (for 2011-12 to 2020-21) for certain modifications.

Patna zoo director Abhay Kumar today told The Telegraph: “CZA has asked us to make some modifications in the master plan, called Vision Document of Patna Zoo. The new plan will be for 20 years from the date of its approval.”

While returning the vision document in the last week of September, CZA had emphasised on the need to improve the maps, enclosures, locations and collection of animals in the zoo. Abhay added: “CZA had disapproved master plans of many other zoos in the country as well.”

In the first week of August, Patna zoo authorities had submitted a draft of the 10-year master plan to CZA for its approval.

The plan had earmarked Rs 29.58 crore for the proposed development of the zoo. According to norms, every zoo has to have its master plan for development either for 10 or 20 years. The plan for Patna zoo expired in the last fiscal.

“CZA has recommended us to make segregated maps for visitors’ movements, drainage system, water and electricity supply networks, locations of enclosures and other aspects inside the zoo. We have also been asked to show the future proposals in the existing maps only. CZA wants to visualise the broader picture of the zoo’s future developments,” Abhay said.

Patna zoo authorities have also been asked to change the location of the toy train. “The tracks of the toy train are on the rear sides of the animal enclosures. Ideally, these tracks should be on the front side of the enclosures. CZA has recommended the alteration in the alignment of the toy train.”

CZA has also asked the zoo to finalise its animal collection plan. “We have been asked to finalise the projected animal population in the zoo as part of the vision document. This means the number of species and animals belonging to each specie for the target period has to be fixed. The emphasis is on better facilities for the animals and not their number,” Abhay said.

CZA has suggested certain changes at the gate number-1 of Patna zoo.

“At present, hyena enclosures are the first thing that visitors get to see once they enter the zoo through gate number-1. CZA wants some attractive animals near the entrance. This will give them a better first impression of the zoo,” the director said.

He added that CZA has appreciated several aspects of the existing master plan for the zoo, including separate ranges for rhinos, tigers and lions.

Keeping the CZA’s suggestions in mind, Abhay said, the next master plan for the zoo would be made with assistance from experts and by using new-age technologies such as GIS-based mapping.