The Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati has taken another initiative to encourage the denizens of the city to lead a healthy lifestyle.
This time around, the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden has decided to allow trekking inside the zoo premises, according to a report by Abdul Gani of The Times of India.
As per the plan, there will be a 6-kilomtre trek route inside the zoo which will be opened shortly.
The state zoo has also drawn up ambitious plans to create zoo clubs and provide annual memberships to bring people closer to the zoo, the report added.
This initiative came close on the heels of the zoo authorities allowing cycling inside the zoo premises.
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the state zoo, Tejas Mariswamy, was quoted in the report as saying that the zoo authorities are ‘promoting a healthy lifestyle among the residents by allowing the people to cycle here.’
“Besides, it also helps to build a close relationship with the people. We are glad to have an overwhelming response from the city residents who come here for cycling everyday,” Mariswamy was quoted as saying in the TOI report.
The DFO was quoted as stating that the zoo authorities are planning to start trekking twice a month during morning hours.
“Two people from the zoo will accompany them. We are planning to start it in the next few weeks. The trek route is beautiful. There will be an annual membership fee of Rs 1,000 and the members can avail all the facilities,” Mariswamy was quoted as saying.
Notably, the initiative to allow cyclists inside the zoo premises that was kicked off in November last year had received overwhelming response from the city dwellers.
The report while quoting the DFO stated that around 20 cyclists visit the zoo every morning on an average.
The zoo has at least 15 bicycles at its disposal which can be borrowed by interested visitors.
Cyclists have to churn out a paltry sum of Rs 30 for an hour to hire a bicycle from the zoo authorities.
Moreover, cyclists are also allowed to bring their own bicycles.