Heritage panel to decide on Byculla Zoo revamp plan

The modernisation of the 148-year-old Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan that comprises a sprawling botanical garden and zoo,popularly know as Byculla zoo,was conceptualised two years ago. The masterplan was being prepared by HKS Designers & Consultants International Co Ltd and US-based landscape designers Portico Group. The revamp kicked off in August this year. The heritage committee had given its in-principle approval to the project in February. However,citizens’groups raised concerns over the shrinking green cover,possible damage to the Renaissance-style layout or to the existing heritage structures among others. Following this panel sought clarifications from the civic body. The second phase of the plan that includes restoration of heritage structures,realignment of the garden and building enclosures for animals in the 53-acre Grade II-B heritage site is now pending final approval of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee. The sub-committee will study the reply given by the BMC. “The sub-committee will review the plans and present their views at our next meeting on January 7 based on which we will take our decision,” said heritage committee chief DK Afzalpurkar. The revamp is expected to take three years once all the approvals are in place.