KOLKATA: The Mamata Banerjee government has formed the state zoo authority to refurbish all zoos in the state and bring them under one umbrella body. Chief secretary Samar Ghosh, who will be the authority's chairman, has asked all zoos to submit masterplans so that renovation work can be started soon. Under the apex body, uniform rules and guidelines have been formulated for all zoos.
"By bringing all zoos under the authority, there will be smooth functioning in the zoological gardens," forest secretary Subesh Das told TOI. The government has also set up a technical committee under the authority. The committee, headed by the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), has been empowered to decide on the medical requirements of the animals and their diet.
As of now, the Alipore Zoological Gardens, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, Khayerbari zoo, Kunjanagar zoo, Cooch Behar zoo, Adina Deer Park, Burdwan zoo, Jharkhali zoo, Rasik Beel, Purulia zoo and Garchumuli zoo will be brought under the authority.
The government has decided to upgrade these zoos in the first phase and has sent a project plan to the Union ministry of environment and forests.
"We have prepared certain rules to streamline the functioning of the zoos. Until now, the zoos functioned in amateurish manner. The formulation of the new rules will bring about uniformity in the structure of the zoological gardens," Das said.
The rules, for instance, talk about the same person being employed to feed animals like tigers and lions so as to strike a bonding with the animals. The diet of each and every species will be prepared centrally and will have to be followed strictly.
The state zoo authority held its first workshop at Alipore zoo on May 14 and 15. The proposal for the advisory and regulatory body was first mooted in 2009 by the erstwhile government soon after common mermosets were stolen from their enclosures at Alipore zoo.
But the proposal never really took off. "The state zoo authority will guide, supervise and monitor the zoos in the state and from now on, managing committees of the zoos will cease to exist," said Das.
The state government also intends bringing private zoos under this body eventually. The forest department will keep a close watch on whether there are violations of the guidelines laid down by the state zoo authority, which will function somewhat like the central zoo authority.
Hwoever, the central zoo authority will continue to be the legal authority and decide on the policy violations of all zoos in the state.
"By bringing all zoos under the authority, there will be smooth functioning in the zoological gardens," forest secretary Subesh Das told TOI. The government has also set up a technical committee under the authority. The committee, headed by the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), has been empowered to decide on the medical requirements of the animals and their diet.
As of now, the Alipore Zoological Gardens, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, Khayerbari zoo, Kunjanagar zoo, Cooch Behar zoo, Adina Deer Park, Burdwan zoo, Jharkhali zoo, Rasik Beel, Purulia zoo and Garchumuli zoo will be brought under the authority.
The government has decided to upgrade these zoos in the first phase and has sent a project plan to the Union ministry of environment and forests.
"We have prepared certain rules to streamline the functioning of the zoos. Until now, the zoos functioned in amateurish manner. The formulation of the new rules will bring about uniformity in the structure of the zoological gardens," Das said.
The rules, for instance, talk about the same person being employed to feed animals like tigers and lions so as to strike a bonding with the animals. The diet of each and every species will be prepared centrally and will have to be followed strictly.
The state zoo authority held its first workshop at Alipore zoo on May 14 and 15. The proposal for the advisory and regulatory body was first mooted in 2009 by the erstwhile government soon after common mermosets were stolen from their enclosures at Alipore zoo.
But the proposal never really took off. "The state zoo authority will guide, supervise and monitor the zoos in the state and from now on, managing committees of the zoos will cease to exist," said Das.
The state government also intends bringing private zoos under this body eventually. The forest department will keep a close watch on whether there are violations of the guidelines laid down by the state zoo authority, which will function somewhat like the central zoo authority.
Hwoever, the central zoo authority will continue to be the legal authority and decide on the policy violations of all zoos in the state.
Source: TOI
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