The deer park at Madhusudan Nagar in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, April 23: Cuttack Municipal Corporation has abandoned plans to set up a second deer park in the city.

The project was planned to shift a section of its deer population to the present park. Now, the civic body will hand over the animals to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar.

Around three years ago, the corporation had decided to develop another deer park after the Central Zoo Authority raised objections over the deer population at the existing park on the banks of the Mahanadi river in Madhusudan Nagar area. The park had come up in the 80s.

After inspection in 2009, officials of the Central Zoo Authority had asked the corporation to relocate the animals. They warned that they would shut down the park if the authorities did not adhere to their order. But the proposed second deer park is yet to take shape.

At present, there are 146 deer in the park spread over two acres, while regulation permits three to five animals per acre.

“I have recommended scrapping of the second deer park project citing non-availability of land. The municipal administration is left with no other choice but to abandon the project and hand over some of the deer to the Nandankanan Zoo,” said municipal commissioner Nihar Ranjan Mohapatra.

At least 12 acres were required to accommodate the animals, he added. “No decision has yet been taken on the municipal commissioner’s recommendation. The proposition will be put before the municipal council at its next meeting in May for approval. But before that, efforts will be on to identify suitable land,” said mayor Saumendra Ghosh.

Corporation officials said the second deer park was planned as part of the beautification drive and also to accommodate the excess animals. The civic body had decided to fund the investment out of its internal accruals.