Patna, July 26: A decade from now, Patna zoo could be a different place to be not only for visitors but also for its inmates. A master plan is on the drawing board to develop various sectors of Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park by 2021.

Patna zoo authorities would soon present a master plan for various kinds of development in the zoo over the period (2011-12 to 2020-21).

The estimated cost of the proposed master plan is Rs 29.58 crore.

The plan includes the construction of a rhino range, creation of more natural animal enclosures and enhancement of the existing ones, interpretation centre, development of zoo infrastructure and addition to public amenities among other proposals.

Abhay Kumar, the director of Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, said the drafting of the master plan — a document for the proposed works for the next 10 years — is a mandatory activity under the norms of Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

“Every zoo needs a master plan for the development plans for every 10 years. Our last master plan has expired in the last fiscal. Thus, we have prepared a draft of the master plan for 10 years till 2020-21, which we would submit to CZA in the first week of August to seek their approval,” said Kumar.

According to sources, Patna zoo authorities submitted a similar master plan for the same time period to CZA around a year ago, which was rejected. The earlier master plan was returned to us with directives to make certain additions and alterations to it, which have been incorporated in the present one,” Kumar added.

The action plan of the proposed master plan primarily focuses on the development of logical section of the zoo. At present, less than 50 acres of the total 153 acres under the zoo premises is being used for housing inmates.

However, the proposed action plan states expansion of this zoological section wherein more animals are to be brought from other zoos and reproduced inside the Patna zoo itself would be accommodated in the proposed additional space. Spacious enclosures and safari ranges would be created in the additional space.

Here, a jungle trail for rhinos or rhino safari is proposed in an area of 13 acres, wherein eight acres are already being used for the existing rhino enclosure.

To provide a real wildlife experience to the animals like bear, lion, tiger and other bigger wild animals with better wildlife instincts, proposals have been made to provide abundant area for their movement in the zoo.

There are plans to minimise their interaction with the visitors.

Moreover, many birds in the zoo are not being able to breed. Proposals have been made to develop such enclosures that would have enough space for the free flying of birds where they would be able to breed.

Moreover, plans are afoot to develop to the enclosures so that they are similar to nature.