• Assam to spend Rs. 350 crore for upgradation of Guwahati zoo, says CM Sarma

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    Assam to spend Rs. 350 crore for upgradation of Guwahati zoo, says CM Sarma
    The state government is mulling spending Rs. 350 crore for the upgradation of the Assam State Zoo...

    Digital Desk: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that the state government is mulling spending Rs. 350 crore for the upgradation of the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden.

    Talking about the project, CM Sarma stated, “We need new enclosures for the zoo as the old ones have become dilapidated. We are thinking of constructing a children’s park for the young visitors of the zoo to spend some memorable time. We also have proposals for an interpretation centre, veterinary hospital and rescue centre among others in hand as of now.”

    The chief minister visited the zoo in Guwahati where he named a new Giraffe cub, ‘Parijat’.

    While feeding milk to the giraffe calf Sarma stated, “The giraffe calf was rejected by the mother after birth. The zoo authorities then called an expert from Mumbai, Tushar Kulkarni, and took special care of the giraffe by feeding it 7.5 litres of milk daily.”

    Sarma gave the baby giraffe the name "Parijat." He further stated, "We received about 350 suggestions from the citizens and the giraffe was named Parijat suggested by one, Piya Kalita."

    The chief minister also provided an update on the state of the zoos in Dibrugarh and Silchar.

    He stated that work would soon start on the zoos in Dibrugarh and Silchar.

    “It is in the tender process now. Unlike Assam State Zoo, it will be an open zoo where animals will roam and visitors will be inside vehicles. It might take three to four years to complete,” he added.