Zoo aquarium to get a makeover

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Indira Gandhi Zoo Park's (IGZP) fledgling aquarium - Meena Lokam - is all set for a makeover, with plans to expand it by March this year with several new features like enhanced floor area, underground fish tank with glass cover and newer variety of fish and information kiosks.
The approximate cost for construction of the underground tank is pegged at around Rs 8 lakh by the zoo authorities. But for the overall expansion, experts who currently maintain the zoo aquarium, point out that a minimum of Rs 60-80 lakh would be required.
Zoo curator G Ramalingam said, "Before March, we are planning to expand the aquarium by adding an underground fish tank with a glass top. More varieties of fish and aquatic plants for decoration will also be brought in. The specially-made aquarium is sure to be a hit among visitors. Though the amount is not finalized, it would cost at least around Rs 7-8 lakh."
Currently, the zoo's Meena Lokam, which is maintained by city-based hobbyist Manab Ranjan Patnaik, houses around 40 varieties of mainly freshwater fish in various glass tanks with natural and exotic décor and plants. The aquarium ticket is just a paltry Rs 2, but even then some visitors object to paying it. The aquarium earns anything between Rs 70 on some week days to Rs 1,000-1500 on weekends, which is used for maintenance of the aquarium.
The aquarium houses fish species such as the fluorescent Neon tetra, transparent glass fish, Cardinal tetra, Oranda and Panda gold, red and orange shrimps, gold fish, the ferocious piranha, Rainbow Shark, Distichodus, White Morley, Black Rancho, Green Carpet Anemone and marine fish such as the Jewel Puffer. Plant species used for decorating the aquariums include ambulia, marimo gold, red and tiger lily, aponogenton and so on.
Elaborating on the expansion plans, Manab, who is into developing and designing aquariums, averred, "At present, the Meena Lokam is spread over an around 400-450 sq ft area and houses a fish breeding area on top. We have plans to expand it to around 1,500-2,000 sq ft. Besides, the underground fish tank with glass top, we would like to introduce amphibious aquarium housing species such as colourful frogs and salamandars, marine aquarium with reefs, library and kiosks to impart information on conservation of marine species such as turtles and fish. However, for all these to materialise, it would cost well above Rs 50 lakh. But it would definitely be worth it as this added attraction would draw more visitors to the zoo."