(IN) Revamping Bombay Zoo

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= Don`t just expect antics from animals, conserve them: Expert Mumbai,

Oct 21: The zoo authorities here are planning to realign the abode of

animals as platforms for conserving and preserving the wildlife.

 

In their master plan sent to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), New Delhi

earlier this year, authorities of veer mata Jijabai Prani Udyan Zoo have

proposed to give it a facelift by making it a place more for conservation

and preservation of rare and endangered animals, rather than they being

entertainment spots for common public.

 

A senior zoo official said, " we do receive about 6,000 to 7,000 visitors per

day in zoo. In older concept, zoos were sites of entertainment but according

to modern theories as proposed by CZA, zoos should be developed and revamped

to conserve animals. "

 

He said working on these lines they have formulated a master plan to

makeover the 145 year old zoo, spread over 53 acres, located in heart of

Mumbai at Byculla.

 

" Earlier people had a preconceived notion about animals, that a lion should

always roar, a bear should dance and monkey should always make people laugh

with its antics, " he said.

 

And when animals do not perform these activities, sometimes people hurl

items on them which can cause injury and even affect the psychology of an

animal, he added.

 

He said people must realise that animals have their own schedules during

day, or night, for their activity and cannot be performing like a movie

actor.

 

" This is really what we would like to convey to people visiting zoo in its

revamped shape, " he said.

 

The master plan for revamping of zoo has been prepared by Thailand-based HKS

Designer & Consultant International Company Ltd, which is associated with US

based portico group and has done substantial work on 53 zoos all over the

world.

 

The plan, under consideration of CZA, proposes to have a nature

interpretation centre at the entrance of zoo where people will be oriented

about the dos and don't's, modern concept of zoo and theme of the plan

through audio-video presentation, the official said.

 

A children exploration area is also proposed where the youngsters would be

informed about various activities on wildlife and animals.

 

This will make children aware that animals are not just commodities of

entertainment, but organisms who maintain the ecological balance and if they

become extinct what dangers would the earth, particularly human beings, have

to face, he observed.

 

Presently, Mumbai's civic-run zoo houses around 200 animals and 450 birds.

 

Once the plan is approved, zoo authorities also intend to keep some of

endangered species in the premises - like giant squirrel and sloth bear and

do their proper breeding to conserve them.

 

CZA member secretary B R Sharma said the master plan is under consideration

and next month, their team would do a site inspection of Mumbai zoo. After

the team submits its report, a decision on the plan would be taken.

 

Sharma also said they are promoting zoos more as conservation and awareness

centres and not just entertainment.

 

He said zoo is a serious business than entertainment and there is a need to

promote education, research and breeding of animals. Care would be taken

while finalising the plan to not disturb the trees and vegetation spread

over the zoo.

 

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Additional Municipal Commissioner (city)

R A Rajeev who seconded the view and said in the master plan emphasis is on

conservation and breeding of animals, particularly the Indian species found

in Western Ghats.

 

Meanwhile, Coimbatore-based zoo outreach organisation Founder Director Sally

R Walker in an e-mail, said that if zoos take up conservation of animals, it

would be a great initiative in the field.

 

She said, " definitely Indian zoos, even Mumbai zoo, also can contribute to

conservation, particularly in the field of education where visitors can

become inspired with the right kind of graphics, literature, planned

activities, and interaction with trained staff to interpret the animals. "

 

However, most of the zoos are under authorities who do not see the

importance of the zoo in education and do not plan education properly. If

that is done, Mumbai zoo would be an excellent centre for promoting

conservation due to its convenient placement and immense visitation, Walker

said.

 

" However, in terms of breeding and reintroduction, Indian zoos are very

poorly placed to carry out such activities as they are now. The transfer

system, uneducated and untrained zookeeper, bad sanitation and safety, ...

So many things. "

 

" Central zoo authority is trying very hard to make zoos better and knows all

these things, but Indian culture and politics stand in the way of making the

changes that will make zoos safe for animals. That can be handled only at a

local level... Will Mumbai municipality do that? " she said.

 

Well, that's what animal lovers are eagerly hoping for so that zoos also

find a place in life of people for educational and informative purposes

rather than their outings just being centred around malls and multiplexes

 

Bureau Report