Souvenir shop set up in tram adds to zoo's charm

Kolkata: The Alipore Zoological Gardens is all set to unveil a souvenir shop inside a tram as an added attraction during winter.

Zoo authorities have already procured a bogey of a tram as a gift from the state Transport department which will be decked up and variety of souvenir items will be sold. Authorities plan to launch the shop in the month of December itself.

"Souvenir shops are found in a number of zoos in the country. We are planning to set up such a shop. There will be a variety of items in the form of caps, t shirts, stickers etc with the logo of our zoo and designs of animals. We are hopeful that the items will be appreciated by children and elders too," said Asis Samanta, Director of Alipore Zoo. Zoo authorities have written to the state Transport department about their plans and the latter gifted it to the zoo. It is presently placed just adjacent to the new entry gates of the zoo.

"There were some trams lying with us which were not in running condition and had to be disposed of as scrap. The Zoo is a popular destination and so many people visit it all through the year. So when they approached us with the proposal of demonstrating the tram in an interesting manner we agreed to it and have given them one. If, somebody wants to promote the culture and heritage of Bengal through trams we are ready to do the same," said N.S. Nigam, secretary of state Transport department.

It may be mentioned that the state government is taking several measures to run trams in a better way. AC trams with one bogey have already being introduced and is gaining popularity.

The Alipore Zoo that sees around 36 lakh visitors around the year remains one of the most popular winter tourist attractions in Kolkata. In the month of December and January the average footfall in the zoo is 22 lakhs which is nearly 70 per cent of the total footfall in the zoo round the year.