Nitish reviews facilities at city zoo, calls for toy train revival

Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday visited the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, popularly known as Patna zoo, in the state capital to review facilities and ongoing conservation efforts.Accompanied by senior officials, the CM observed wildlife and birds and took stock of their healthcare arrangements, daily activities and environmental conservation measures. He asked the officials concerned to ensure proper care of animals and maintain all facilities efficiently.Nitish expressed satisfaction over the extensive sapling plantation carried out inside the park. Stressing the need to improve visitor amenities, he asked officials concerned to provide better facilities for children and tourists. He also instructed them to organise maximum visits of school students so that children could develop awareness about wildlife and environmental conservation.The CM also asked officials to restart the toy train facility at the earliest. “We visited the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park several times and many facilities were developed here,” Nitish said. He also asked officials to expedite work on the master plan prepared for the park’s overall development.During the visit, Nitish named a newborn zebra ‘Samriddhi’. A zebra calf was recently born at Patna zoo after a gap of nearly 17 years. An official said, “The birth of a zebra baby after about 17 years is the result of efforts being made by the state govt for better health management of wildlife.”People present in the park greeted the CM, who acknowledged them by waving his hand.According to a communiqué issued by the chief minister’s office, Patna zoo covers an area of 153 acres and serves as a centre for wildlife conservation, research and education. More than 23 lakh visitors, including a large number of school students, visit the zoo every year. It houses 1,122 animals of over 93 species, including rhinoceros, gharial, giraffe, zebra, tiger and deer. Over 80% of the zoo area is under green cover.Officials accompanying the CM included principal secretary to the CM Deepak Kumar, additional chief secretary of environment, forest and climate change department Anand Kishor, district magistrate Thiyagarajan SM, park director Hemant Patil and other senior officials.