On Sunday, as part of the Republic Day celebrations, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated the country's first and biggest 'walk-through' aviary at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, popularly known as Byculla Zoo.
Spanned over an area of 18,200 sq.feet, the 44-feet aviary, (five-storey building), will dwell over 100 species of rare, exotic and common birds, living in their natural environment. A BMC spokesperson said that there is a seperate enclosure for aquatic birds, where more birds will be added gradually.
मा.मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी वीरमाता जिजाबाई भोसले प्राणिसंग्रहालयातील प्राण्यांच्या आधुनिक प्रदर्शन कक्षाचे लोकार्पण केले व भक्तीपार्क उद्यान येथील मियावाकी पद्धतीने वनीकरणाचा शुभारंभ केला. प्रजासत्ताक दिनी पर्यावरणासाठी अनुकूल अशा कामांचे उद्घाटन केल्याने जनतेत चांगला संदेश जाणार आहे. pic.twitter.com/Qv0x5OdAwg
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 26, 2020
In order to let the visitors get a close look at the birds, a small bridge has been constructed which passes through the aviary and will be opened for the public to walk through.
Also Read: These Exotic Animals Are Now Making Their Way To Byculla Zoo
Currently, the Byculla Zoo boasts of 17 special enclosures for animals like bears, hyenas, leopards, foxes, Madras Pond Turtles, Barasingha, antelopes, etc. The zoo also consists of India's first air-conditioned enclosure for Humboldt Penguins. Now the authorities plan to add sections for the Asiatic Lion, tigers and another bird enclosure.
Meanwhile, as a part of the government's initiative to increase the green cover in Mumbai, CM Thackeray launched the first of the 64 forestation projects by the 'Miyawaki' method. The project was inuaugurated at Bhakti Park in Wadala on Sunday, on a 2.50 acres plot.
The 'Miyawaki' method implying maximum trees in minimum area in an attempt to increase bio-diversity and the city's green cover. The project will witness implementation at 64 locations with 40 types of local or other trees to create lush green forests amid the city's concrete jungle.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ji initiated a dream project that I had proposed to the @mybmc a few months ago. 65 plots of the BMC will now have 400,000 plants of Indian origin planted in the Japanese Miyawaki method. Urban forests are a necessity in India. pic.twitter.com/RlJyAuD2Ut
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 26, 2020
Notably, the Byculla zoo will soon be opening its doors for 17 more exotic animals. The renovation work to house exotic animals was started in 2018 and is expected to be completed by March.
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