(IN): 2020 Vision Document to revamp zoos: Jairam

August 4, 2009

*2020 Vision Document to revamp zoos: Jairam*

Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI: Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh on Saturday

announced that the Central Zoo Authority had prepared a 2020 Vision Document

for the revamping and modernisation of 196 zoological parks in various parts

of the country during the next 10 years.

Mr. Ramesh, who visited the Delhi Zoological Park and reviewed the

functioning of the Central Zoo Authority on the occasion, said Delhi would

have the privilege of having India’s first “Natural History Museum”

alongside the present zoo.

He said the museum would come up on 7 acres of land that was being used as a

car park by the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).

World Zoo Congress

Mr. Ramesh also announced that India would hold the World Zoo Congress in

2014, the venue of which will be decided later.

The Minister said that the area already had a Science Museum, and with the

addition of the Natural History Museum would create a large complex for

children alongside the Delhi Zoo.

Mr. Ramesh said a lot needed to be done to manage zoos across the country

better, and that modern management methods and the latest technology should

be used to make it a lifetime experience for visitors.

“Animals in diplomacy”

Stating that he was looking to adopt a new but more positive policy to

involve animals in diplomacy, Mr. Ramesh said his Ministry was also

considering the exchange of animals with other countries. Germany and two

other countries had already asked for Indian elephants.

“We can use this as an effective instrument of economic diplomacy, something

that was done years ago by the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who

used to gift animals, including elephants, to friendly countries as part of

diplomacy,” the Minister said.

--

Recommended Posts