Master Planning of Zoos - Central Zoo Authority

Sri S.K.Patnaik, Former Addl. PCCF(Wildlife) and
Chief Wildlife Warden, Orissa and Member,
Technical Committee, CZA who was involved
earlier in development of holistic Master Plan of
Nandankanan Zoological Park, also shared his
valuable experience with the participants.
The relevant matter / issues on Master Planning
were discussed by guest speakers and course
faculty with the active involvement of Participants
during the training programme. The summary of
deliberations by speakers / participants has been
separately arranged in this publication for easy
reference and convenience. It is important to take
advantage of these inputs along with wide ranging
reading materials and references provided during
this training programme, interactive exercises
conducted on Master Planning in Nandankanan
and also the proceedings of earlier short-term
course on “ Zoo Planning Design and Landscape
Architecture (organized earlier by Central Zoo
Authority and School of Planning and Architecture
during 27th Nov-3rd Dec, 2000) while developing
Master Plan and Management Plan. In order to
provide exposure to the participants to certain areas
of significance and to further add value to the
training programme, the guest speakers, Mr. Jon
Coe and Mr. Bernard Harrison also delivered predinner
special lectures in the evening in addition
to their presentations during the course lectures.
The special screening of a film “Cherub of the
Mist" (a film on conservation breeding and
reintroduction of Red Panda—a success story)
was organized in the evening of 15th April,2006.
This film produced by “A Bedi Film Productions”
was widely acclaimed / appreciated by the
participants and guests and no doubt, this screening
was appropriate to the occasion. The film later on
received the Best Conservation and Environmental
Film Award in 29th International Wildlife Film
Festival, 2006 at Montana, U.S.A. A special video
film on "Night Safari" (Themed Zoo) was also
screened alongwith special lecture on the same by
Mr. Bernard Harrison in the evening of 14th April,2006. The names of guest speakers, course
faculty and the participant trainees alongwith their
contact information have been appended for easy
reference and wider consultations. It is expected
that zoos will come forward with their final Master
Plan and Management Plan with the active
involvement of participants trained. There are wide
ranging areas to be covered under the plan. The
guidelines indicating the format for the preparation
of Zoo Master Plan has also been appended here
in the last section of this proceedings. The entire
schedule of the training programme kept
everybody busy but the moments spent during the
training were highly inspiring and informative.
Endeavours were made to provide the best possible
inputs within this short period, maximizing the
advantages for developing Master Plan and
Management Plan for respective zoos. This
training on Master Planning of zoos is a great
beginning and this exercise will be able to
revolutionize the concept and operation of our
zoos only when we all really make it happen and
join hands in improving the conditions.
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