DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 5: It is always a thrill seeing wildlife up close. For visitors strolling through the animal enclosures at the Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP) at Rangapahar in Dimapur, they could see that there was also a room for connection, with humankind’s wonderful neighbours, the animals and birds of the world.
The Nagaland Zoological Park continues to strive towards providing quality recreational avenues that would connect the younger generations to nature. The establishment hoped to pursue a mission to inculcate and help develop a sense of empathy for flora and fauna; to serve as a conservation centre for fauna in the state of Nagaland and educate and promote awareness about wildlife conservation. The sanctuary also seeks to provide recreational diversions to visitors and citizens in general.
As the country observes Wildlife week 2016, the NZP also celebrated it with the theme “wildlife saviours” mainly to acknowledge the contribution and support of donors, animal adopters and rescuers in helping save the ever threatened wildlife community, said Sentichuba Aier, director of the park.
Recounting how the development of adopting animal started in India ‘way back in the year 1925’ at Mysore, Aier said that the ‘trend started in Nagaland in the year 2015 on November 18 after the state government’s approval.’
“People were not careful for the past 30-40 years about adopting animals and the pride attached to it, but now people take pride in sponsoring and adopting animals which is indeed a sign of connection and belongingness,” Aier told Eastern Mirror.
Though the authorities are striving to provide ‘quality recreation’ and have been introducing new animals in the park, they are not able to do so because of the revenue constraints from what the NZP earns.
Talking about their side of limitation, Aier said that the sanctuary earns about Rs.30, 000-40,000 per month in contrast to other states where parks makes Rs. 4-5 crore per annum.
Out of the revenue they generate per month, Aier said that the funds go to feeding the animals and maintenance of the NZP; the funds are not sufficient. However, animal lovers and adopters and benevolent individuals have continued to support the management.
“Through the animal adoption program we are not trying to make business out of the wildlife but building human-wildlife relation so that a sense of belongingness will be infused with more direct contact with the public,” the official said.
With plans to improve the NZP by introducing aquariums, a ‘herbivorous and carnivorous safari,’ and even a wildlife museum in the form of a planetarium to name a few, Aier and Obed Bohovi Swu, Officer-in-charge of the NZP said that the department had submitted a master plan of Rs.109 crore to the central government in September 2016. The officials expressed hope that in the next 5-10 years, the NZP would see some changes.
However, the sight of the park on October 4, 2016 was a disappointment as it wore a deserted look with only few visitors even after the department was offering free entry to all visitors as part of the celebration of wildlife week.
Nonetheless, the department expressed optimism that they would receive a good number of visitors during weekends. Since 2014, the number of visitors has increased. The officials have credited the younger generation for their growing awareness about the flora and fauna of Nagaland and for the support that knowledge has generated.
The sanctuary is home to about 17 species of mammals, 16 species of birds and seven species of reptiles.
