The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park still awaits the Rs 36 crore sanctioned to it by World Bank. It’s been a year and a half since the money was sanctioned under the AP Disaster Recovery Project for its restoration and development. The zoo park was destroyed during Hudhud and is in desperate need of money.
The amount the zoo is supposed to get is part of the Rs 120 crore allotted to the forest department for development in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari. Meeting keep being held for the same and a team from World Bank even visited the zoo, but the amount hasn’t come in yet.
The 625 acre park is a popular spot for picnics in Vizag and was a good revenue earner before it was destroyed in Hudhud. Vijaya Kumar, the zoo’s curator said that the process of finalising consultants is in process. The consultants are yet to draw a master-plan for the development of the zoo.
The forest department has only received Rs 6.4 crore of their share for afforestation. Rs 2220 crore were allotted to six departments under the disaster recovery project. APEPDCL, VUDA, GVMC, roads and buildings department, Panchayat Raj and forest departments are whom the money was allotted for. Rs 120 crore from this was for the forest department, including the Rs 36 crore for the zoo park, Rs 12 crore for Kambalakonda Eco Park and Rs 72 crore for afforestation. Only Rs 6.4 crore has been released from the Rs 120 crore.
Rs 30 lakhs has been set apart for an Environment Education Centre at RK Beach. An Olive Ridley Turtle Interpretation Centre will be open at the spot. It will be ready by next year.
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