Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SR)

Panaji, Oct 15: The Central Zoo Authority has allowed Rs 50 crore for the renovation and beautification of Bondla wildlife sanctuary, the one and only zoo in Goa. The facelift will include animal cages and expanded enclosures as per the new specifications of the Central Zoo Authority’s (CZA) guidelines.

"We have already received approval from the union ministry for the estimated proposal of Rs 50 crore. The amount will come from the central government after we get an NOC from the forest department, since the property belongs to the forest department,” said Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) chairman Dayanand Sopte, as reported in TOI.

Dayanand Sopte also said, "We will be receiving the NOC within ten days on condition, bounded to the guidelines, that there will be no villas or cottages constructed at the sanctuary. The wildlife officials have already submitted all the estimates, including renovation works and installation of new structures to the government for approval."