In a significant move, the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has given the green light for a botanical garden and zoo of international standards in Thane.
Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik confirmed the development and said that the zoo will be spread across 150-acres of land. It will be on similar lines with the facilities operational in Singapore.
The project was proposed during a meeting held in Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai, to discuss several developmental works, focusing on the Owala-Majiwada constituency.
The project would be constructed off the Ghodbunder road abutting Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) near Owala.
In the meeting, CM Shinde expressed his support for the initiative, promising to expedite the project along with other developmental works in the region.
According to reports, a joint survey will soon be done by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and the forest department following which the demarcation of the zoo will also take place.
While the land will be under the ownership of the forest department, the state will bear the construction cost. Besides, the Thane civic body will bear the operational and maintenance cost.
An expert will be hired to decide the theme of the zoo along with details like type of animals to be brought in, plants to be grown here, among others.
The majority of the zoo area will feature a bamboo forest, with minimal safety enclosures for animals and birds. Construction will emphasize the use of timber to adhere to forest department norms. They are planning a special butterfly garden.
Additionally, other projects discussed during the meeting included the development of a tourist spot in Yeoor, infrastructure improvements related to the ongoing metro work, and various initiatives by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in the Mira-Bhayandar and Thane areas.
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