The inmates of the Delhi Zoological Park are to get exclusive customised enclosures. Most inmates of the zoo belonging to the same family have similar kind of enclosures. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA), along with the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), are to hold a consultation to discuss and design customised habitats for animals, including birds, tigers and amphibians.

The Delhi Zoological Park is to undergo a massive change and upgradation in the new zoo master plan. Experts feel that the zoo designs to make the animals feel at home have remained neglected and unchecked for long. Taking the Delhi Zoo as a case study, these experts are to discuss, study and design exclusive customised enclosures for the inmates.

Enclosures for flightless birds, tigers including white tigers, primate enclosures for the monkey and chimpanzees, amphibian exhibits and aviary for birds that would provide them better living area with more natural surroundings are to be discussed and designed in the two-day workshop from February 24 to 26.

This is going to be the first occasion when the zoo authorities will be discussing and designing exclusive animal enclosures. International experts from the field of zoo landscaping will observe animal habitat, food habits and the climate needed. “Every animal has its own specific needs. And generalized habitats of the animals have a negative implication on these animals,” said Professor Surinder Suneja of the Department of Landscape Architecture of School of Planning and Architecture.

The zoo master plan proposes new animal friendly enclosures for the animals. “The whole idea of organising these consultations is to make the animals feel at home, in their natural habitat,” said BS Bonsal, Member Secretary Central Zoo Authority. Explaining the whole plan, Bonsal said that the concept of designing buildings is different from designing zoo infrastructure. “The animals need to be provided their natural habitat and the people who visit the zoological park must also get a feeling that they are entering a natural forest,” said Bonsal.

The team of experts that will consist of experts from Australia and Austria will spend a day at the Delhi Zoo observing these animals, their enclosures, food habits and their other characteristics. To start with only five categories of animals will be observed, discussed and then their enclosures will be worked out in the seminar.

“We want to provide the animals a comfort zone and attract more people to the zoo, not just for animals, but also for the natural habitat. The new enclosures are to be more animal-friendly and people-friendly spaces,” said the Curator of the Zoo RA Khan.