Kolkata, Sep 22 - West Bengal will soon have its first Wetland Ecological Park in Sonarpur adjoining Kolkata where many of the animals from the Alipur Zoo will be housed, a top official said Tuesday.

State Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Atanu Raha said the state government has taken up an initiative to develop the wetland park and identified a lowland area for it.

'We have decided to set up a Wetland Ecological Park at Bhagabanpur area near Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district. We held a high level meeting today (Tuesday) and have also surveyed the proposed area,' Raha said.

'Once the wetland eco-park is developed, we'll be able to shift a large number of animals to that place from Alipur Zoo.

'There will be no cemented construction at the eco-park. We'll put all the wildlife animals there in a better wetland environment.'

Asked about the time frame for the project, Raha said that work was progressing fast.

'I can't say any time frame as of now. But we'll try to implement it as early as possible. The government will also involve the local people for developing the project,' he said.