No entry fee for Children in Guindy National Park: Minister

Chennai, May 2 (UNI) Entry for children will be free in the Guindy National Park, also called as Children's Park, Forests Minister N Selvaraj told the state Assembly today.

Replying to the debate on the demand for grants for his department, he said no entry fee would be collected for children from this year.

He said annually three lakh vistors were visiting the park, which served as an education centre for children.

The Minister also announced that the Government was making efforts to set up a Zoo on a 100-hectare area in Tiruchirapalli and a State Forest Commission for the first time in India to commemorate 150 years of Forest Department.

The Commission would have a Chairman and two members and it would make recommendations to the Government on the possibility of setting up a University to encourage higher education in Forest Science and improve the forest and environment.

He also announced exemption of road tax to farmers using forest roads to transport their produce and laying new transit routes in the forest area to connect districts for the benefit of thousands of people.

After getting permission from the Centre under the Forest Protection Act, a detailed project report would be prepared for five such routes and sent to the Centre for approval, he added.

UNI