Deer Park to be set up near Bhanjanagar: Odisha forest minister

BERHAMPUR: Efforts are on to set up a deer park near Bhanjanagar, about 80 km from here, to help educate children about wildlife conservation, Odisha's minister for Forest and Environment Bikram Keshari Arukh said.

Arukh, who yesterday visited the site in his assembly constituency Bhanjanagar, said there are several amusement facilities nearby including a children's park. "Establishment of a deer park will help educate children about wildlife conservation", he said.

The site spread over five hectares area belonged to Water Resources department and the Forest department would seek its permission for setting up the deer park, a senior forest official said.

Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha, S S Srivastava, who accompanied the minister, said the picturesque site close to the reserve forest is suitable for housing deer. The state government would seek permission of the Central Zoo Authority of India for establishment of the park.

The estimated cost of the project would be known only after preparation of a detailed project report, he said.

Initially, the park would house spotted deer, barking deer and black bucks and later it would be converted into a mini zoo by adding more animals, he said adding animals rescued from nearby areas rehabilitated in the zoo.