"Zoos can play an important role in creating awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation that is required for ecology," said the Zoo's Veterinary Surgeon Selim Iqbal.

"Visitors will be able to learn more about animals, realize their importance and grow to love them," he said.

Iqbal also said that 'conservation, education, research and recreation' are key characteristics of a zoo, and their educational role will be socially, environmentally and culturally relevant.

The authorities have submitted a proposal to the finance ministry seeking budget allocation for the centre.

"We hope that the proposal will be approved in the next fiscal year. After the centre is established, we will ask foreign donors to help in upgrading the centre," said Narayan Chandra Banik, deputy curator of the zoo.

According to the zoo authority, several programmes like 'weekly observation on crocodile feeding', 'painting competitions', 'distributing posters, leaflets' and 'animal talk shows' will be organised to enhance creativity among school going children.

"The programme will take the shape of international programmes, which have been successfully implemented in developed countries," Banik said adding that they will invite teachers of schools, colleges and universities to take part in the education club.

They hope to publish a monthly wildlife magazine, he added.

Many students and researchers from the department of veterinary and the animal husbandry of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, department of the zoology of Dhaka University (DU) and other universities and veterinary colleges visit the zoo during the internship periods.

"I am very curious about wildlife. If the centre offers a provision for internship, I will get enrolled for the course," said Rafiq Hasan, a DU student from Mirpur 2.

The authorities do not intend appointing any specialists for the education programme, but use existing human resources.

"This will be our additional duty as we have no plans as yet to appoint any experts or teachers for the job," said Shahzaman Khan Tuhin, nutrition officer of the zoo.

"The programme will not be restricted to students only, but it will include all visitors," said Tuhin. "They will learn how to protect endangered species and behave positively towards wildlife," he added.

There will be special sessions for specific schools every week where children will be taught on wildlife.

Visitors are showing keen interest in such a centre.

"This kind of educational effort will certainly enhance children's knowledge on wildlife and biodiversity," said Maimuna Islam, a visitor from Mirpur10.

"I observed such efforts in the western countries I had visited. Western people encourage their children to go to such type of centres," said Sirajul Islam, a government employee and himself a regular visitor to the zoo.

This centre would be a new concept for everyone the zoo-keepers, visitors and wildlife lovers," said the authorities.

If the programme becomes successful at the Dhaka Zoo, the biggest of the zoos in Bangladesh visited by 30 lakh people a year, it will be replicated in other zoos, said a Dhaka Zoo official.