BMC charts developmental plans for Mulund Bird Park, proposes layout sprawling 17,150 square meters

According to the senior BMC officials, the draft development plan, submitted by the appointed consultants, will be reviewed by the municipal commissioner, and later, will be sent to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for the final nod.

While the civic body was initially eyeing to develop an aviary across 6,000 square meters in a land parcel, the new proposal has floated a layout sprawling 17,150 square meters in the eastern suburb’s Mulund.

Of the total area, the bird aviary will span over 10,000 square metres while the rest of the space will be developed as a garden, play zone amongst others.

According to the layout, Mulund Bird Park’ will have different zones such as the interpretation centre, kids zone, Australia zone, Africa zone, America zone, and public amenities, among others. Furthermore, the bird park will connect into a play ground comprising a basketball court, jogging track, volleyball court, tennis court as well as an open gym.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Sanjay Tripathi, director of the Byculla Zoo, said, “The plan seeks to develop zones of different continents where the birds of that particular zone will be kept. These zones will emulate the habitat and the cultural aspects of the different regions, which will also educate the visitors.”

Once the new aviary takes shape, upto 22 species of birds including black swan, toco toucan, peafowl white etc. will be housed in the facility.

The BMC’s plan to acquire additional birds had been approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), last year.

After the first tender for appointing a consultant to prepare a master layout plan and detailed project report (DPR) failed to get adequate response, the civic body had floated another tender in December, following which HKS Designer & Consultant International Company Ltd was appointed as a consultant.

With the consultants having now submitted a layout, the new layout to the municipal commissioner who will be reviewing the plans.

“While we already have the approvals from the CZA to procure new birds, we will be sending the development layout to the authority again for their approvals. After the CZA gives its nod, tenders for constructing the facility will be floated,” a senior official added.