Pradhan Urges Yadav to Support Expansion and Upgradation of Sambalpur Zoo

Bhubaneswar, May 28 : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday urged Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav to facilitate the proposed expansion and upgradation of the Sambalpur Zoo during a meeting in New Delhi.

Pradhan highlighted that the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) had designated the facility as the “Sambalpur Zoo and Conservation Centre” in 2023. Established in 1980, the zoo has evolved from a small deer park into a significant centre for wildlife conservation and public education.

Currently spread over 13 hectares within the Motijharan Reserve Forest, the zoo is home to 333 animals representing 15 species, including leopards, bears, pythons, and peacocks.

In 2022, the Zoo Evaluation Committee recommended upgrading Sambalpur Zoo to a “Medium Zoo” category, which includes adding about 18 to 20 hectares of adjacent land within the Motijharan Reserve Forest. This expansion aims to accommodate new species and develop educational and research infrastructure aligned with the zoo’s 2023–24 master plan, which envisions housing 48 species.

With CZA approval, the zoo has already engaged in animal exchange programs with Nandankanan Zoo and translocation initiatives with Debrigarh Sanctuary.

Pradhan outlined plans for several new attractions, including a night safari, aquatic exhibits featuring African penguins, desert and rainforest biodomes, a walk-in enclosure for small monkeys, and aviculture and bird-watching facilities. These additions are intended to enhance visitor experience and promote biodiversity awareness.

Pradhan requested the Environment Minister’s support for these expansion efforts, emphasizing their importance in strengthening the zoo’s role in conservation and education.

Additionally, Pradhan discussed strategies to boost the tiger population in Debrigarh Sanctuary and ensure their effective protection.

The proposed developments underscore Odisha’s commitment to advancing wildlife conservation and environmental education at the regional level.