CM Dr. Sarma visits Assam State Zoo, Takes Stock of Infrastructure Requirements
Baby Giraffe Born Here Named “Parijat” Through Lucky Draw: CM Dr. Sarma
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday visited the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati during which he too stock of the infrastructure needs of the 175-acre facility.
Speaking to media-persons, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said the State government is taking steps to transform the Assam State Zoo into one of the best zoos in the country for which a Rs. 350-crore redevelopment plan has been sent to the finance department for its approval. He said adequate infrastructure facilities to house animals in a safe and secure environment has been incorporated in the proposed redevelopment plan. He said there are plans to construct a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital and a rehabilitation centre to treat injured animals within the Assam State Zoo premises.
Chief Minister Dr. Sarma also announced that the baby giraffe that was born in the Assam State Zoo has been named “Parijat”. The name was arrived at after receiving around 350 suggestions from various sources and through the method of lucky draw, the name “Parijat” was finalized. The Chief Minister said bringing up the baby giraffe was extremely challenging as his mother rejected him right after he was born. A wildlife specialist from Mumbai was called in to assist the zoo authorities with the baby giraffe.
Chief Minister Dr. Sarma today also ceremonially opened for public viewing the giraffe “Parijat”, a kangaroo, a wallaby and two orang-utans.
Chief Minister Dr. Sarma was accompanied by Environment & Forest Minister Chandramohan Patowary, Additional Chief Secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests MK Yadav, along with a host of other senior officials.