The Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati has launched its trek club with an inaugural journey on Sunday. The inaugural trek started at 6.30 in the morning.
The zoo personnel accompanied the participants in their trek.
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the state zoo, Tejas Mariswamy, said “The route had moderate elevation passing through a moist deciduous forest which provides an opportunity to the joggers to enjoy nature”.
A subscription fee of Rs 1,000 will be charged for annual membership of the trek club.
“We plan to organize trekking twice a month – on first and third Sundays – on the zoo campus spread across 175 hectares. We will try to provide the trekkers the best possible experience and expect them to be respectful towards nature,” Mariswamy was quoted as saying in the The Telegraph report.
The DFO said they also have plans to open a literary club in the zoo by involving litterateurs and to set up a library on the campus.
This initiative came close on the heels of the zoo authorities allowing cycling inside the zoo premises.
In November last year, visitors were allowed to cycle inside the zoo campus for the very first time. Visitors can hire bicycles at Rs 30 per hour.