If the tourism development plan prepared by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) comes into existence, then we might see the Byculla Zoo being shifted to Aarey Milk Colony in Goregaon or the Borivali National Park.
The plan has been prepared for the city by MTDC’s special committee, which had appointed a consultant M/s Fortress Infrastructure Advisory Services for assessment and preparation of a detailed report for the development of various tourism projects in Mumbai.
Among its several suggestions to develop tourism in the city, the committee has suggested that Byculla Zoo be shifted to the more spacious Aarey Colony or Borivali National Park. “The area of the national park is 10,400 hectares and that of Byculla Zoo is 19 hectares. Hence there is ample space to construct a world-class zoo there. The Byculla Zoo must be conserved as a botanical garden,” said the proposal.
The development plan is ready and has been uploaded on the MTDC’s website for suggestions and objections from the public.
However, the BMC has opposed the suggestion of shifting the zoo, maintaining that the makeover plans for Byculla zoo is already afoot.
“Byculla zoo has been in existence for the last 150 years and is a matter of pride for Mumbaikars. We have objected to the suggestion of shifting the zoo put forth by the tourism committee as all the procedures and permissions to develop the zoo have been put in place,” said standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale.
The BMC has earmarked `150 crore to redevelop the zoo in the city. The makeover work will soon start and will be completed by August 2014. Under the project, the BMC has also planned to procure new animals and make the zoo more tourist friendly. Amenities like the interpretation centre, zoo hospital, entrance plaza, heritage restoration and boundary wall will also be constructed in this project.