Odisha’s Nandankanan Gears Up For New Year’s Day Preparations, 40K Visitors Expected

Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park, on the outskirts of Odisha, is all geared up to host visitors on New Year’s day.

The zoo will introduce three new enclosures exhibiting a wolf, a squirrel monkey, a tamarin monkey and a melanistic tiger on the occasion of foundation day i.e. December 29. Visitors will be able to see them from January 1.

To manage the crowd, there will be three more ticket counters. Parking for four-wheelers has already been diverted. Only two-wheelers will be allowed to enter from the entry gate to the parking area. Even VIPs and officers will be debarred from taking their vehicles inside the zoo on the day.

“We are expecting 40,000 people on January 1. Arrangements to accommodate them are underway. There will be security personnel, doctors and other staff members at different locations,” said Anjan Kumar Mohanty, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Sanctuary Management.

More ambulances have been added for the immediate transport of people in case of any casualties, he added.

Besides, security arrangements have been tightened to prevent pick pocketing and smuggling.

“We have outsourced the security this time and deployed additional 35 officers for New Year’s Day. Platoons from the local police station will also be positioned on the day,” said M. Patnaik, Range Officer security. Night patrolling has already started from Christmas and the dark spots in the zoo i.e. reptile park, nocturnal house, aquarium etc. will be strictly under vigilance through CCTV cameras.

Cases of pick pocketing have come down compared to last year. “We are available 24 hours for the safety of our visitors,” said Patnaik.

On Christmas, there were 30,000 visitors, 10% less than last year. “The reason for the same is the ongoing protests across the country. This could also impact the footfall on New Year’s day,” said Mohanty.

Furthermore, the zoo authorities have earned about Rs 14 lakhs on Christmas day and are expecting a revenue of about Rs 25 lakhs on January 1.