Lahore Zoo will be upgraded under the magnificent plan to provide quality entertainment facilities to children. Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi laid the foundation stone of the Zoo Upgradation Project. Mohsin Naqvi visited Lahore Zoo and reviewed construction activities under the Upgradation Project. CM while speaking on the occasion said that 100 new animals will be brought to the Lahore Zoo. An e-ticketing system will be introduced and a hologram zoo will also be established. CM directed to introduce family package, summer package and other packages in Lahore Zoo after its upgradation. Mohsin Naqvi said that panda, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, African pigeon, black jaguar, puma, Chaltan Markhor and other animals and birds will also be increased in the zoo. New species of dragons and snakes will also be brought in the Lahore Zoo. CM said that 142 types of marine life will also be kept in the aquarium in Lahore Zoo. Lahore Zoo will be upgraded and modern cages will be built according to international standards and other facilities will also be increased. CM inspected the Lion House, Monkey House, Zarafa House and other animal cages. CM was briefed about the new Reptile House in the zoo. Zoo Hologram will create the impression of real presence of animals. Mohsin Naqvi also inspected the Waterfall Lake and also inspected the cages of white tiger, lion and of other tigers. CM directed to take better care of lions and other animals, to provide them best treatment and best veterinary doctors should be arranged for the treatment of sick animals in the zoo adding that a wide area of land should be allocated to keep the lions. CM directed immediate release of funds for the zoo upgradation project and apprised that better unique and rare animals will be brought to the Lahore Zoo than before. Lahore Zoo footpaths should be improved and made uniform. Mohsin Naqvi directed to install best fountains in the zoo. People and children who came for a walk met with the CM. They appreciated the vision of CM Mohsin Naqvi for the Lahore Zoo upgradation. CM on seeing the wound on the lion’s forehead immediately summoned the zoo doctor and ordered him to provide treatment to the lion. CM Directed to chalk out a plan for the breeding and health of zoo animals along with improving the condition of Lahore Zoo canteen. CM commended the lion’s caretaker Faryad Ahmed. CM was briefed by the Secretary Wildlife about the upgradation plan of Lahore Zoo. CM after laying the foundation stone of the upgradation project of Lahore Zoo and while talking to the media said that the zoo is a favorite place of children but it has been neglected for 20 years. As soon as one enters the Lahore Zoo, he can see the dirt, smell and the pathetic condition but the children still come. Lahore Zoo is notorious for dirt and bad smell. Every sector has work to do but children’s entertainment is always neglected. CM informed that we are upgrading the Lahore Zoo and the Safari Park in consultation with the provincial ministers, secretaries and concerned institutions. The renovation and restoration project of Lahore Zoo has been launched today which will be completed by the end of January. There is a good news for the children that 100 kinds of new animals are being brought which they have never seen before. He said that 4 elephants, tigers and different birds are also being brought to the safari zoo. We are in constant contact with the Chinese authorities to bring Panda to the Lahore Zoo. The Prime Minister has also been requested to bring Panda from China. We are establishing hologram zoo, food courts and world class aquarium in the Lahore Zoo. CM apprised that we are working for the animal care and their health. The services of an international consultant will also be hired for the animal welfare. Only those animals will be kept in the zoo which we can keep according to the international standards because there was also a Suzi in the Lahore Zoo which died due to sheer neglect. 4 new elephants will be kept in the safari park as the health of the animals is very important. Zoo upgradation design is of an international standard. CM said that we are focusing to upgrade Jallo Park and Changa Manga Park. The zoo is closed for upgradation but when the children arrive in January, the environment of the zoo will be different and there will also be new animals. The zoo upgradation is being done on the lines of the Singapore Safari Zoo. I guarantee the children that when they come in January, they will find the zoo in an excellent shape. The zoo is running out of space and we are preparing for its expansion. It is our effort that no animal dies due to our negligence. We are shifting the Lahore Zoo to 100% e-ticketing and e-ticketing will also be cheaper. CM said that we are taking on board all relevant institutions and WWF so that international standards are not compromised. The elephants will be kept in an open place and Markhor will also be brought. If a good team is retained then excellent work is done. I have already mentioned that I will go back to my profession when my tenure ends. Bringing panda is a difficult task but the effort is ongoing. Whenever there is a meeting held with the Chinese Consul General, discussion for acquisition of panda is always take place. There was inflation due to having only one canteen in the Lahore Zoo but now 8 to 10 canteens are being built and commodities will be cheaper. We will further raise the hill in Lahore Zoo, there will be more plantation and the bad smell will be eliminated. Children friendly zoo will also be built and are also upgrading other zoos of Punjab. Children will be over delighted to see 100 species of animals when they return in January. Provincial Ministers Amir Mir, Azfar Ali Nasir, Bilal Afzal, Secretaries of Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries, C&W, Livestock, DG Wildlife and concerned officials were also present on the occasion.
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