COIMBATORE: A conservation centre for state animal 'Nilgiri Tahr' is set to come up near Semmozhi Poonga at Gandhipuram in Coimbatore city. Its construction is likely to commence in the coming weeks.
The state government has given the nod for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) as per which a ground and three-story building will come up on five cents located between the petrol bunk and Semmozhi Poonga, said forest department officials.
The estimated project cost is Rs 10 crore. The contract period for completing the construction is one year.
Creating awareness for the public is one of the agendas of the five-year-long Nilgiri Tahr Project. The centre will have a museum on one floor.
The museum will showcase the anatomy, habitat along with the cultural and ecological aspects of the Nilgiri Tahr.
A library will have books related to Nilgiri Tahr and other wildlife.
An immersive visual interpretation facility is also planned in an attempt to attract the young generation and impart them the importance of the animal.
"The interpretation centre will provide visitors the experience of being in their habitat.
"Our main aim is to create awareness about the animal among the people and how it contributes to the well-being of the forest. That is why we have proposed a centre at the heart of the city. Hundreds of people, including school and college-going students, would get a chance to know about the animal," said an official of the Nilgiri Tahr project.
"The parking facility will be at the ground floor. We expect people visiting the Semmozhi Poonga to come to the centre and know the Nilgiri Tahr. We hope the effort to promote awareness on the animal will thus reach maximum people," he said.
Meanwhile, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, on her X handle, posted that the forest department is preparing to conduct a third synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr and the state government is steadily rebuilding both populations and habitats.