JAMMU, Sept 25: On his visit to the Jambu Zoo in Nagrota, Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta evaluated the amenities offered to guests as well as the overall operation of the zoological park, which was opened to the public last year. The Chief Secretary noted during his inspections that, given the attractions present, the facility’s foot traffic has to be increased. He noted that schoolchildren and other wildlife enthusiasts may also be taught about animals, their behaviour, and important aspects of them. Dr. Mehta further argued that educating tourists about the Zoo’s amenities and location would boost the number of people visiting it.He saw that there is no signage directing people towards the Zoo. He persuaded the authorities that large, permanent hoardings at the airport, the railway station and along the road should be put up to draw attention from travellers and inform them about this attraction. Additionally, he said that since the Zoo is located on their path to the cave shrine, it would be wise to encourage the thousands of pilgrims who visit the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine to stop by for refreshments here.Dr. Mehta also observed the campus’s closed cafeteria and Nature Interpretation Centre. He demanded that both of these facilities be made operational right away so that visitors to the Zoo would find it to be inclusive and educational. Additionally, he instructed them to stock the cafeteria with Jammu’s traditional dishes, especially those prepared with millets, because they are popular and healthful across the country.The Chief Secretary thanked the employees for taking such good care of the animals while touring various animal enclosures. He instructed them to provide for the health and well-being of all of these animals. Regarding additional interventions, he said that it would be simple to bring in the tiger by October 15 and the lion by October 25. He said that such creatures are popular with most people and would draw in most tourists, including kids. He advised them to consider adding hippopotamus to the Zoological Park as an additional attraction.The Chief Secretary added that the administration should think about keeping the Zoo open to the public in the morning and evening as well, given the scorching summer weather in Jammu. He urged them to consider keeping the Zoo open from 7:00 am to 10:00 am in the morning and from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on days with high temperatures so that visitors would have a cool place to visit.
