Guwahati |  Assam’s State Zoo cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati is set for a major transformation, with the state government undertaking a redevelopment project estimated at around Rs 340 crore to upgrade visitor facilities and create a modern wildlife destination.

Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah announced the redevelopment plans on Friday while inaugurating the 72nd Wildlife Week celebrations at the zoo and reviewing various ongoing construction and development works.

The project envisages new infrastructure and visitor amenities while retaining the zoo’s existing natural surroundings. The government plans to make greater use of the green landscape and ecological setting of the sprawling zoo complex as part of the redevelopment.

“With several new additions, we are rebuilding the zoo and once the work is completed, I believe we will be able to transform it into a leading zoo, not only in India but also internationally,” Baruah said.

Large bird aviary among key attractions

One of the major attractions proposed under the redevelopment plan is a large bird aviary. According to the minister, the facility is being developed on a substantial scale and could potentially rank among the largest such aviaries in the world. The proposed aviary is expected to add a new dimension to the zoo’s wildlife experience while providing visitors with an opportunity to observe a wider range of bird species in a dedicated enclosure.

Another major addition planned for the zoo is a toy train, which will help visitors travel across the large complex and access different sections more conveniently. The proposed train is also expected to improve the overall visitor experience, particularly for tourists and families looking to explore the zoo without having to walk long distances between attractions.

New facilities to take shape in coming months

Baruah said work on the redevelopment was progressing satisfactorily and that several of the proposed facilities are expected to begin taking visible shape within the next three to four months. However, he indicated that the complete transformation of the zoo would take considerably longer, given the scale of the project and the need to balance construction with the zoo’s existing ecological environment.

As part of the planning exercise, Forest Department officials have visited zoological parks in Bengaluru and Chennai to study their infrastructure, visitor facilities and management practices. The visits were intended to provide inputs for the Assam project and help officials identify features and practices that could be adapted to the State Zoo cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati.

Wildlife Week celebrations begin

The redevelopment announcement came as the zoo hosted the opening of the state’s Wildlife Week programmes. The celebrations began with a Gaja Puja, following which a motorcycle rally involving Forest Department personnel was flagged off from the zoo to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Earlier, on Gandhi Jayanti, Baruah paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and inspected several ongoing development works at the zoo and botanical garden.Senior Forest Department officials, along with zoo officers and staff, were present during the programme.

The proposed Rs 340-crore redevelopment is expected to significantly expand the zoo’s visitor infrastructure while maintaining its natural character, with the government seeking to position the Guwahati facility as a major wildlife and tourism destination in the region.