3 min readShimlaOct 1, 2024 08:00 PM IST
First published on: Oct 1, 2024 at 07:59 PM IST
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has raised concerns regarding the design and animal enclosures for Himachal Pradesh’s upcoming zoological park, Durgesharanya, located at Bankhandi in Dehra, Kangra district. The park is set to be a state-of-the-art facility covering 118 hectares, with the project cost estimated at Rs 619 crore.
Documents obtained under RTI by The Indian Express revealed that the CZA flagged issues such as the presence of National Highway-503, which runs through the proposed park, and concerns about the impact of pollution on endangered species. The state’s Forest and Wildlife Department sent a revised plan in May 2024 addressing these concerns, but the CZA is yet to approve it.
The RTI reply revealed that the state government hired two Gurugaon based firms – M/s Jain and Associates (lead Partners), M/s Brick by-Brick (other partner) – for Rs 7.96 crore to provide consultancy services to prepare the Design-cum-DPR Master Plan and carry out project monitoring/supervision services for establishing the zoo. These firms were hired through Himachal Pradesh Zoos and Conservation Breeding Society (HPZCBS), Shimla, which had invited bids in January, 2024.
The CZA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, made 15 observations during its 108th Technical Committee meeting held in June last year. These included reconsidering certain species in the animal collection, such as the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, Caracal, and Hoolock Gibbon, due to their limited availability, and suggested excluding common species like parakeets and Rhesus macaques.
Reginald Royston A, Member Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Zoo Conservation & Breeding Society, confirmed the submission of a revised plan that includes changes to the enclosures, monorail, and the highway route. “The revised plan addresses CZA’s concerns. We expect discussions on this in their upcoming meeting,” he said.
Saroj Bhai Patel, Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) in Dharamshala, noted that a meeting with stakeholders is scheduled, and they aim to complete the first phase of the project by June 2025.
Earlier, on March 6 this year , Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone for the park, located in the assembly constituency of his wife, MLA Kamlesh Thakur.
The park will feature a monorail safari, a walk-in aviary, a nature trail, and a prehistoric park, making it a major tourist attraction in the region. The zoo will also showcase Kangra’s rich culture alongside its wildlife.
Key dates
📌 May 5, 2023: Himachal Pradesh approves a 10-member steering committee for the project.
📌 June 21, 2023: CZA raises concerns over the zoo design.
📌 March 6, 2024: CM Sukhu lays the foundation stone.
📌 June 2025: The first phase is expected to be completed.
The CZA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, made 15 observations during its 108th Technical Committee meeting held in June last year. (Representational Photo/Express File Photo) 
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