New Delhi : Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo conducted a comprehensive review meeting to assess the expansion plan for Jambu Zoo. The meeting focused on the revised layout plan, which includes the construction of new animal enclosures, a walk-through aviary, infrastructure developments, and additional visitor facilities to enhance the zoo’s appeal.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary reviewed the current footfall at the zoo and engaged in detailed deliberations on strategies to increase visitor numbers. He emphasized the need to position Jambu Zoo as a prime destination, particularly during the summer months, to attract a larger audience.
Chief Wildlife Warden Sarvesh Rai provided a detailed presentation outlining the existing facilities designed for visitor convenience and the ambitious expansion plans for the coming years.
At present, the zoo features 17 enclosures housing a diverse range of wild animals, including tigers, lions, leopards, Himalayan black bears, blackbucks, snake chambers, and crocodiles.
The Chief Secretary was informed that 13 new animal enclosures are under construction during 2024-25, with plans to introduce prominent species such as the hippopotamus, ostrich, Indian gaur, hyena, wolf, and fishing cat.
Additionally, a walk-through aviary is in progress, which will house an array of beautiful native and exotic bird species. Future expansion will also see the addition of a botanical garden and a butterfly/multi-sensory garden.
About the infrastructure augmentation in the zoo it was added that the development plan includes the creation of nature trails and elevated walkways, log huts and tree houses, themed resting areas, and a toy train for children, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Regarding the future expansion plansit was revealed that the Department is looking ahead with an expansion blueprint that includes the construction of 18 additional animal enclosures. These will house prominent species such as the brown bear, snow leopard, zebra, giraffe, rhinoceros, markhor, and red panda.
A major attraction planned for the future is a Fossil/Dinosaur Park, aimed at educating and entertaining visitors. Additionally, an AR/VR setup will be installed, offering an immersive experience where visitors can explore extinct and rare species in a virtual habitat. Plans also include supervised feeding sessions with prime species, further enhancing visitor engagement.
The meeting highlighted that a total of 2,13,523 visitors toured Jambu Zoo during 2023-24. The footfall has already reached 1,80,144 visitors in 2024-25, generating a net revenue of Rs 3.22 crore during this period.
It was also noted that a dedicated workforce of 80 staff members operates in three shifts to ensure smooth functioning and maintenance of the facility.
Chief Secretary emphasized the need for sustained efforts in the zoo’s development to make it a world-class attraction. The expansion plans align with the broader vision of enhancing wildlife conservation, visitor engagement, and eco-tourism in the region.
Protect linguistic heritage of J&K: Dr. Farooq Abdullah
Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday emphasized the importance of preserving the linguistic heritage of J&K.
In a statement issued here on Thursday Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that one’s mother tongue is a crucial aspect of culture and identity. He stressed the need to safeguard the linguistic diversity of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly by making the mother tongue the primary medium of instruction in schools, especially during the formative years.
Highlighting the significance of the Kashmiri language, Dr. Farooq Abdullah noted its rich history of classical and folk literature created by poets, sages, rhetoricians, and linguists over thousands of years.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah called for radical measures to protect and promote Kashmiri and other vernacular languages like Dogri, Pahari, Gojri, Punjabi, and Shina. He stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to ensure the survival of these languages, including prioritizing their inclusion in the education sector and providing special grants for scholars conducting research in vernacular languages.
The National Conference President urged parents to use their local mother tongues as a means of communication at home, emphasizing that communicating in one’s mother tongue should be a source of pride for all residents of J&K. “It is time to take bold steps to preserve and promote the linguistic heritage of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
