New members in Rangapahar zoo soon

Kohima, Apr 29: The Nagaland Forest department and Tribal Hoho's representatives in a meeting have adopted a five-point resolution to protect the Rangapahar Zoological Park near Dimapur.

The meeting was initiated by Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) T Lotha here yesterday.

Mr Lotha informed that Rangapahar was declared a reserved forest in 1916 with 8809 hectares of area. However it is now left with only 176 hectares for the Zoological park as 482 hectares was demarcated for Singrijan Forest Village, 1981 hectares to Nagaland Sugar Mill and 6170 hectares were encroached by 16 villages.

The park is currently home to four Himalayan Sloth Bears and four Golden Langurs along with several varieties of birds.

Mr Lotha further informed that about 40 Sambars will be brought to the park from Assam and added that the department was in touch with other states to get some more species to the zoo.

UNI