Even as Bangalore undergoes budget cuts and financial overhauls due to the ongoing economic slump, the one place in the city that is yet to be affected by the phenomenon is the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP). Recession or no recession, there seems to be no cutting down on the people’s love for animals.
Even in these bleak times, the ‘adopt an animal programme’, introduced by BBP officials in 2003, continues to receive a good response. As many as 65 adoptions took place in 2008-09, as compared to the 14 adoptions in 2007-08 and 20 adoptions in 2006-07. BBP Deputy Director B Raju said, “The recession has had no effect on the adoption programme. In fact, there has been an increase in the number of people who have come to adopt animals this year.”
The rates do not seem to matter for ‘adopters’, and there were many takers for the BBP’s star attraction – the white tiger. A private bank has currently adopted the big cat for a year, at a cost of Rs1.45 lakh. People who can’t afford to go for tigers and elephants remain happy with adopting smaller creatures like birds and reptiles.
In the process, they stand to to benefit from tax exemption under Section 80G of the IT Act-1961, complimentary passes for five people a year and an official adoption certificate. Besides that, a board bearing the adopter’s name will be placed prominently on the animal’s cage and he/she will be periodically informed about it. To adopt an animal, visit the BBP office andfill in a form. Call 278238300 for details.
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