Construction on the Nocturnal House is scheduled to begin within a fortnight. The proposal on the Rs 21.28 lakh structure was drawn up following suggestions by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) on ways to put nocturnal (active by night) animals and birds in their natural, `night-like'environment.

This environment will be created inside a single storeyed polygon shaped concrete structure with six chambers and a viewing gallery for the visitors. The unique arrangement has been designed to enable visitors to have a clear view of the caged nocturnal animals like owls, bats and certain species of snakes, without disturbing them.

According to a civic official this would be the first step taken by the BMCtowards improving the living environment inside the zoo.

``Normally, the visitors never ever get a chance to see the nocturnal life since the zoo is open only during the day thereby limiting the view to the diurnal (active by night) animals like lions, monkeys, rhinos etc. But now we are sure that the public will see a whole new variety of night creatures,'' he added. The Nocturnal House, sprawled on 428.99 sq mtre, is expected to be ready within 10 months.