Shillong, May 2: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday convened a review meeting with officials from the Meghalaya Forest and Environment Department to assess the progress of the ongoing construction of the Meghalaya Zoo.
Situated at Umtrew in Ri-Bhoi, the Meghalaya Zoo spans across 72 hectares of land. Officials informed the Chief Minister during the meeting that construction is nearing completion and the zoo will soon be operational. They briefed the Chief Minister on various initiatives undertaken by the department to establish facilities for visitors, particularly children, including an interpretation center.
The Chief Minister said, “The Zoo should be able to attract tourists and visitors interested in understanding the rich biodiversity of Meghalaya. It should serve as a center for learning, knowledge sharing, and amusement.”
He also recommended to the officials that while the department should oversee the care and management of the Zoo, day-to-day operations should be entrusted to professionals capable of managing ticketing, parking, restaurants, and other facilities to enhance the visitor experience.
