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Dear All,

 

latest update on Mumbai Zoo

 

http://www.westsideplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=WP2ART922006

 

 

Regards,

Nilesh

..............................................

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Sudhir Suryawanshi, Borivali

 

 

Very soon your visit to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali,

might see you coming across new inmates. The excessive number of black

bucks at the Vir Jijamata Udhyan at Byculla will be reduced by

transferring them to SGNP as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

is all set to revamp Vir Jijamata Udhyan at Byculla.

 

The total estimated cost for the project is nearly Rs 100 crore and this

year a provision of Rs 25 crore has been made for the revamp.

 

Animal welfare organisations like People for Ethical Treatment of Animals

(PETA) had been complaining about the pathetic condition of the zoo and

had requested an overall revamp and change. They had even asked the civic

authority should close down the zoo if they were unable to do so. However,

the BMC is working on the master plan and with the help of the suggestions

from the McKinsey Committee on zoo redevelopment, the Vir Jijamata Udhyan

might soon acquire a new look. Also, vacant posts of various officers at

the zoo will be filled up soon.

 

“Tenders have been floated on international level and the city will get

very soon the world-class zoo,” said BMC’s Additional Municipal

Commissioner, RA Rajeev, adding, “Consultants from Thailand and Singapore

have responded for the makeover plan of Jijamata Zoo. Even, experts from

America, England and Singapore will work to fructify this revamp idea.”

 

Adding further he said, “The focus will now be on public awareness and

education on wild life, which will help in protecting the 130-year-old

zoo, which is situated on 52 acres land, near Byculla railway station.”

 

The Jijamata Udyan attracts 35 lakh visitors every year and, with its

nominal tickets of Rs 5 for adults and Rs 2 for children, it is a magnet

for families from lower and middle-income groups. “The ticket rates may go

up after this proposed revamp,” stated Rajeev.

 

Over the last few years, the zoo has been accused of reducing its striped

and fanged inmates to nervous wrecks, permitting a spate of unexplained

deaths and also of failing to provide partners for some of its inmates.

“However, a male rhino by the name Shiva will soon get female partner,

after 33 years, while male elephant Rajkumar will get a companion after 20

years, both coming in from Santiago. These animals are being brought in

exchange of the male inmates at the zoo. We are also trying to bring

tigers from forests across India,” informs Rajeev.

 

Moreover, the problem of animal harassment will be eliminated as the BMC

plans to re-create a natural habitat in the zoo.