Nandankanan reopens for visitors

Surjit Kumar Dhal,Bhubaneswar, May 22: The Nandankanan Zoological Park, which suffered extensive damages in the Cyclone Fani on May 3 reopened for  tourists on Tuesday after restoration work.

 “Visitors have started coming to Nandankanan to see the animals and birds here. Many parts of the zoo were damaged during the devastating cyclone on May 3. The electricity network was also completely damaged. Most of the 263 cages in the zoo were partly damaged. But there was no causality among the animals,” said ACF (Sanctuary Management) Anjan Kumar Mohanty.

He said as many as 213 cages have been repaired completely and the water supply facility for the animals has been restored.

He said the animals were shifted to the safe cages before the cyclone and food for four days was stored for these animal.

“Though we have done restoration work, it will take time to revive the greenery of the zoo like before,” said Mohanty.

The cyclone had uprooted the trees from the main gate to Daruthenga area.

The park houses over 3,000 animals belonging to 156 species. The Forest and Environment Department has assessed losses at over Rs 537 crore.