More reptiles to crawl in city's Snake Park

Pune to become only the third Indian city to boast of a reptile sanctuary

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is all set to give the Snake Park at Katraj a thorough makeover. Plans are afoot to expand the 24-year-old park in the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Garden, into a reptile park where animal lovers and research scholars can watch various species of reptiles.

Neelimkumar Khaire, director of the Snake Park and of the Animal Rescue Centre in the zoo, told MiD DAY that the project is still in the planning stage and details will be worked out after discussions with experts.

"We expect to finalise the project within six months," he said.u00a0 According to Khaire, Pune will be the third Indian city, after Chennai and Kolkata, to boast of a reptile park. "We intend to collect several species of reptiles in this park and create a unique package where kids as well as adults can come and enjoy," he said. Khaire added that the state forest department and various wildlife organisations from India and abroad are expected to help the PMC.

While the existing Snake Park houses different types of snakes, the reptile park will boast of reptiles such as crocodiles, alligators, tortoises, chameleons and lizards. Kazveen Umrigar, director of Rajiv Gandi Zoological Garden, said, "Though it's difficult to estimate the cost of the project at this point of time, we believe that it will run up to Rs 3 crore." Also, she added that the Central Zoo Authority might fund the reptile park project.