Rhinos at the Assam state zoo. File picture

Feb. 19: A new site for rescued animals, a modern zoo kitchen, a new section on woodland species and nearly a dozen new enclosures — this is what a revamped Assam state zoo will look like.

“The Central Zoo Authority has approved the master layout plan which is the most important part in the master plan,” a zoo official told The Telegraph.

“The new layout plan will give the zoo a more aesthetic look and one hopes the visitors will be pleased. It will take some time to let all this turn into reality,” the official said.

The master plan of a zoo is a comprehensive document giving a detailed road map for 20 years with a provision of review every 10 years regarding development, improvement and upgrade of facilities and infrastructure available to help manage the zoo more efficiently.

“Under the new layout, there will be thematic display of animals. To cite an instance, if one was looking for carnivores, one will see all the carnivores in the same line,” the official said.

There will be 11 new enclosures, 48 will be modified and 17 will be demolished and re-constructed.

The zoo, with a total area of 175 hectares, has an impressive collection of about 895 animals, birds and reptiles belonging to 113 species, both indigenous and exotic.

Of the 175 hectares, 50 hectares are occupied by the animal enclosures, 30 by the botanical garden and the rest by natural forests.

The official said there would be a separate place for rescued animals, besides an aquarium and a new section on woodland species. A total of 230 animals and birds were rescued by the zoo in 2010-11.

A new enclosure for golden langur is also coming up.

“The section on woodland species would have badger, porcupine, civet and others,” the official said.

The staff colony and the office colony would be separated by a wall from the zoo.

“We are getting the money for separating both the colonies,” the official said.

There will also be an interpretation centre and the botanical section will be more systematised.

Closed-circuit television cameras are also being installed to keep a close watch on the movement of visitors.

The official said the zoo kitchen would be a modern one with separate sections for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

“It will conform to the best of hygienic standards. We spend around Rs 3 crore on food for the animals,” the official added.

The section on conservation breeding will be off display.