Bihar is likely to get its second zoo in Rajgir, around 120km south of Patna, shortly.

The environment and forest department has taken the first step to convert the existing deer park facility in Rajgir into a zoo-cum-rescue centre. It has started the process to prepare a master layout plan for the proposed zoo in accordance with Central Zoo Authority (CZA) guidelines.

“The government has to prepare and submit a master layout plan for seeking in-principal approval from CZA to develop the deer park into a zoo-cum-rescue centre. We have invited expressions of interest from intending firms to prepare a master layout plan. The firm would be selected by the first week of October,” D.K. Shukla, the additional principal chief conservator of forest-cum-chief wildlife warden, told The Telegraph.

He added that the selected firm would get three months to furnish the master layout plan. “Once the in-principle approval comes from CZA, the proposal would be sent to National Board for Wildlife for its approval. After we get the nod from the National Board for Wildlife, the proposal would be sent to the central empowered committee of the Supreme Court for final approval,” Shukla said. He added that land would not be a problem for the proposed zoo, as over 100 acres for the facility belong to the forest and environment department.

Sources in the department said the preparation of the master layout plan would be completed in two stages — conceptual master layout plan based on complete field survey of the proposed site in the first stage and a detailed master layout plan incorporating additional details to be furnished in the second phase.

The deer park at Rajgir, spread over 66.40 hectares with enclosures for the herbivores, is at present maintained by the forest department. According to the zoo establishment plan, the area of the existing deer park is proposed to be increased to about 100 hectares. “The plan for the new zoo has been conceptualised keeping in mind the increasing number of animals at Patna zoo. The animals that cannot be accommodated in the Patna zoo would be shifted to the facility in Rajgir,” Shukla said.

Residents of the state capital are also happy with the forest department’s decision. “This is certainly a positive initiative. If the deer park is converted into a zoo, it will be on the tourism map,” said K.N. Jha, general manager of a hotel in Rajgir.