States » EastPosted at: Nov 3 2026 12:10AM


West Bengal govt plans to expand New Town zoo beyond 15 acres, tiger arrival targeted by Jan 2027

By Snehal Sengupta
Kolkata, Nov 2 (UNI) West Bengal is considering further expansion of New Town's Harinalaya Mini Zoo, with the Forest Department looking to secure additional land to improve animal enclosures and visitor facilities, even as preparations are under way to bring a tiger to the facility by January 2027, Forest and Environment Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon said.
The expansion proposal was discussed at a recently held meeting of senior forest officials, following which the department began examining possibilities of making more land available for the zoo.
Oraon said the existing facility needed additional space and that the government was keen to develop it further.
"The place needs a little more space. More space would make it even better. We are trying to see whether it can be further developed if additional land is provided," the minister told this reporter.
According to Oraon, he will discuss the possibility of getting more land for the zoo from Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) that is in charge of land allocation and building public Infrastructure in New Town.
"I will shortly speak with Hidco and ask them to provide more land for the New Town Zoo. We are pursuing this earnestly," Oraon said.
The proposed expansion comes against the backdrop of a 20-year Master Plan for Harinalaya, covering 2023-24 to 2043-44, approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The revised plan envisages a total area of 63,596 square metres (15.71 acres), following the addition of 14,898 square metres (3.68 acres) of land allotted by WBHIDCO. The earlier area recorded in the plan was 48,698 square metres (12.03 acres).
The minister's remarks indicate that the department is now exploring the possibility of taking the zoo's development beyond the land already incorporated in the approved blueprint.
Oraon also said the zoo was preparing to receive its first tiger, with the animal expected to arrive by January next year.
He said preparations had begun and that the enclosure was ready.
Asked how many tigers would initially be introduced, Oraon said the plan was to start with one.
"For the time being, just one. We will consider the next step later," he said.
The minister added that the source from which the animal would be brought had not yet been finalised.
He also clarified that the existing enclosure did not require any major alteration and was ready to accommodate the animal.
"The enclosure that has already been constructed is ready. We are now simply waiting for the tiger to arrive," he said.
According to the CZA-approved master plan, the proposed Bengal tiger enclosure covers 1,800 square metres (0.44 acres). It comprises a 1,600-square-metre (0.40-acre) open paddock, a 120-square-metre (0.03-acre) kraal and an 80-square-metre (0.02-acre) night shelter with isolation facilities.
The master plan envisages a broader animal collection, with separate sections for mammals, birds and reptiles. It earmarks 20,075 square metres (4.96 acres) for animal enclosures and 30,228 square metres (7.47 acres) for green space. Visitor pathways, utilities, night shelters and other supporting facilities account for the remaining area.
The proposed animal collection includes Bengal tigers, African lions, zebras, giraffes, hippopotamuses, deer and several species of primates. Separate facilities are also envisaged for reptiles, including crocodiles, pythons, cobras and monitor lizards, as well as aviaries for different species of birds.
The blueprint also provides for a rescue and quarantine centre, a veterinary hospital, a nature interpretation centre and other infrastructure to improve animal care and visitor amenities.
Harinalaya's existing animal collection, as recorded in the CZA master plan, includes spotted deer, barking deer, Grant's zebras, northern giraffes and a common hippopotamus, besides primates such as tufted capuchins, white-lipped tamarins and golden-headed lion tamarins.
Its bird collection includes several varieties of macaws, cockatoos, Amazon parrots, grey parrots, pheasants, lories and swans. Marsh and saltwater crocodiles also figure in the existing reptile inventory.
The minister said the government was keen to improve the zoo's facilities and provide more space for its development. He indicated that the availability of additional land would be an important factor in taking the proposed expansion forward.
The tiger is very likely to be transported from the Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri to the New Town Zoo.
UNI SEN NST BM
Tags: #West Bengal govt plans to expand New Town zoo beyond 15 acres# tiger arrival targeted by Jan 2027
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