Ranchi zoo will finally open for public viewing its much talked-about aquarium that will showcase over 1,500 fishes of around 250 varieties on June 28 with chief minister Raghubar Das confirming his availability for inaugurating the Rs 3.64 crore project which has been ready for the last few months.
Das, who also looks after forest, environment and climate change, will also lay the foundation of an eco-park coming up next to the aquarium at Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park in Ormanjhi.
Zoo director Ashok Kumar said he was confident the new attractions would help generate more footfall to the zoo, one of the better maintained state-run animal abodes.
"Our fish aquarium is set for debut next week. Entry fee for adults has been fixed at Rs 30 and for children Rs 15," he said.
The aquarium, he revealed, was spread over 9,000sqft and would include both exotic and indigenous varieties of fish. The aquarium, installed by Mumbai-based Utekar Fisheries, has 55 partitions, quarantine tanks, fish rearing arrangements, filtration points and a temperature regulation system.
"It is to be seen to be believed," Kumar said, looking distinctly proud.
The aquarium project was pending since 2006. Though civil work was undertaken years back, bureaucratic hurdles, untimely sanction of funds and above all, tender jinx, delayed its completion. In September last year, the zoo finally managed to break the tender jinx and picked the Mumbai firm for the job.
Work was completed between by early May. It has been functional ever since, but wasn't opened to public.
"Now people can come and visit from June 28," Kumar said.
The eco-park, Kumar explained, was another initiative, which the zoo management wanted to begin work on this fiscal.
"The park will be spread over 5 acres and is estimated to cost around Rs 5.6 crore. We are targeting completion in one and a half years. Among its features will be landscaped gardens, various amusement and recreational options for children, fountains, walking trails and seating areas," he said.
Asked about the proposal sent to Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in April about categorising Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park among the countries large zoos, Kumar said they were hoping for a formal nod soon.
"As many as 27 zoos are yet to send their audit reports and other details to CZA. We were told that CZA would begin reviewing the proposals only after getting reports from everywhere. It may take time, but we are sure of being put in the large zoo category this time," he signed off.
