Private sector threatens wildlife park in Orissa

Another point of concern is that a patch of the 25.86 acres is right inside the zoo and if plot-owners wish they can stake claim to it. In the past, they have even demolished the zoo’s compound wall, department sources said.

Says L.K. Das, Divisional Forest Officer, Nandankanan: ‘‘If the land is not acquired immediately and private owners allowed to have their way, they will stake their claim inside the zoo too. A few years down the line, there will be multi-storeyed buildings beside the zoo.’’

Ever since the zoo was declared a sanctuary, they have been waiting for a portion to be acquired because it belonged to private parties. But the zoo authorities and district administration sat on it. Last year, the zoo authorities deposited Rs 1.5 lakh with the administration to acquire the 25.86 acres known as jujhagarh. But before the transfer could be done, the Additional District Magistrate’s office wrote to the Forest Department that the real cost of the area according to current evaluation was Rs 1.07 crore.