Winners of a fancy dress competition with deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi and zoo officials at Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park on Sunday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, Oct. 16: Twin treats are in store for wildlife enthusiasts of the state this winter.

While visitors to Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve would be able to enjoy a safari, those visiting the Patna zoo would get to see a modern aquarium house.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who also holds the ministry of forests and environment, made the announcements today during the concluding ceremony of the wildlife fortnight at Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, celebrated from October 1 to 15.

“Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation and state forests department together would soon start a tiger safari package for Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve. Visitors would be taken on buses from Patna to Valmikinagar, where they would spend two days and nights and explore the wildlife of the reserve. The fare for transport and accommodation along with site seeing would be fixed soon.

The idea is to develop the tiger reserve as an eco-tourism spot,” the deputy chief minister said.

“I visited the aquarium house at London zoo during my tour to the UK. I would like the officials of the state forest department and authorities at Patna zoo to develop a modern aquarium in the zoo on the same lines. The snake house would also be revamped. Efforts to start a rhino safari on Patna zoo premises would also be expedited,” Modi said.

He said an animal adoption plan is also on the cards, for which many individuals and organisations have shown interest. Modi also spoke about creating an autonomous authority for Patna zoo.

“An autonomous registered society — Patna Zoo Authority — would be created soon so that the development of the zoo can be put on fast track. The state government would aid the various development activities in the zoo. The revenue generated in the zoo would be managed by the proposed authority, instead of the existing system of handing it over to the state forest department,” Modi said.

On the occasion, Modi handed over medals and consolation certificates to the winners of essay, painting and fancy dress competitions. Around 80 children from different schools participated in the fancy dress competition on Saturday and nine were declared winners and 15 students were handed over consolation prizes. Over 400 children participated in the essay writing competition on Friday, among whom 12 were declared winners and 20 were handed over consolation prizes.

Around 400 children participated in the painting competition that was also organised on Saturday.

On the occasion, Abhay Kumar, the director of Patna zoo, pledged for the conservation of biodiversity.