–Vice-President Jagdeo says  

IN the government’s pursuit of enhancing the aesthetic appeal of public recreational facilities for families and tourists to enjoy and find solace in a secure and comfortable environment, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo stated, during his recent press conference, that a proper concept was being crafted for the enhancement of the zoo and botanical gardens.

Jagdeo emphasised that the dedicated team from the National Parks Commission and the Forestry Commission is fully committed to advancing the tree planting exercise.

Although it might appear that work is not advancing, the Vice-President noted that they are approaching the extensive initiative from a conceptual perspective to ensure that a comprehensive understanding of the envisioned layout of the zoo is established.

“The team from the National Park [Commission] is focused heavily on getting the tree planting exercise off; they are moving on that with the forestry commission. They have also started conceptually to look [at the initiative].

“We don’t want to start anything until we have a proper concept in mind, that we know clearly what the picture will look like at the zoo,” Jagdeo said.

He shared that there is no urgency to finalise the initiatives unless the concept is thoroughly discussed and completely agreed upon prior to starting the work.

In October 2024, the Vice-President led a collaborative effort involving a team from the National Parks Commission to the zoo and the botanical gardens.

The main objective of his visit was to attain a comprehensive understanding of the condition of the facilities, enabling their transformation to align with international standards.

He related that the restoration and development project aims to rejuvenate the beloved national landmarks, improving their attractiveness and infrastructure for the advantage of both residents and visitors.

With a passion for preserving nature and his love for the environment, Jagdeo’s presence at the forefront of this initiative highlighted the significance of maintaining the natural beauty of the botanical gardens alongside the modernisation of the facilities.

While the project seeks to elevate the zoo and the botanical gardens to international standards, it also focuses on the enhancements in conservation, animal care, and public amenities, as well as the overall experience of visitors.

The Vice-President also held a public consultation for members of the community to give their input and perspectives on the enhancement projects.