Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the upcoming Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park in the Bankhandi area of Kangra’s Dehra assembly constituency will become India’s first zoo to earn certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure.
- The park has already registered for IGBC certification, seeking recognition for both its structural design and landscape planning.
- The certification will affirm the park’s commitment to high environmental standards, emphasizing sustainability and ecological balance.
- The first phase of the project spans 25 hectares and comes with an estimated budget of ₹230 crore.
- It is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2025.
- The entire zoological park will be developed at a total cost of ₹619 crore, establishing it as a key driver for tourism growth in Kangra and neighboring regions.
