The land had earlier been reserved for municipal purpose/garden and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) had sought a change in reservation in the development plan of the newly-merged villages of Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Speaking to TOI on Tuesday, Subhash Dumbre, additional commissioner said, "District guardian minister Ajit Pawar had suggested the creation of a deer park at Talwade. The PCMC intends to develop one in this area of 90 acres. Visitors will be able to travel in vehicles and view the deer living in natural surroundings.

"The PCMC has made a provision of Rs 1 crore in the 2010-11 budget for the project. The plot has fencing and we will have to develop internal roads," Dumbre added.

Speaking to TOI, Anil Khaire, director of the municipal zoo said, "The deer park is being developed as part of the expansion plan of the Bahinabai Chaudhary zoo at Akurdi. Deer species that are found in the western ghats will be housed at the park. These include black buck, chinkara, barking deer and sambar."

He said that there were plans to develop a tourist centre, cafeteria and parking facilities for visitors.

"We will also create an interpretation centre and exhibition hall to hold exhibitions on nature and wildlife," Khaire added. "We are preparing a plan for the deer park, which will be sent to the Union government for approval."

"A basic land survey will be conducted, in which we will conduct soil testing and water testing. We want to develop a grassland environment that will be ideal for the deer. We will also identify species of grass that are preferred by the deer so that they can be grown on the land during the coming monsoon," Khaire stated, adding that the deer will be procured from other zoos in the country.