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Byculla zoo still awaits recognition

While zoo officials at the Jijamata Udyan and the BMC have plans to modernise the zoo and provide better infrastructure for the animals, the CZA remains unconvinced.

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CZA official says local authorities haven’t been abiding by the rules.

While zoo officials at the Jijamata Udyan and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have plans to modernise the zoo and provide better infrastructure for the animals, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) remains unconvinced.

In fact, the CZA, which has stipulated stringent guidelines for zoos to follow, is yet to recognize Byculla zoo. It was reported that the London Society of Zoo, Bernard Harrison & Friends Ltd, along with a company based in the US and one in Haryana had shown an interest to partner the BMC in upgrading the zoo. The project was estimated to cost Rs130 crore and a budgetary provision of Rs25 crore had already been made this year.

Zoo officials in the city, however, claim that they had already applied to the CZA, which had given a one-year recognition to the Byculla Zoo that would be up for review next year.

Speaking to DNA from Delhi, Brij Kishore Gupta, Senior Scientist, CZA, said  that although Byculla Zoo had applied for recognition, it had been suspended. “The CZA has certain norms that zoos have to fulfil and follow. The Byculla Zoo has not been doing the same, and hence its recognition has been suspended,” revealed Gupta. Officials from the CZA, including CZA member secretary BR Sharma, met civic zoo officials in the city, as recently as last month. Sharma had suggested that a wildlife manager along with veterinary doctors be appointed to look after the zoo. Animals should be kept in proportion to the space available, he had told zoo officials.

“There are many zoos like the Solapur Zoo which are derecognised by the CZA, but are still functioning as the state governments have done nothing to close them down,” said Anuradha Sawhney, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s chief functionary. In July 2005, the Bombay High Court ordered improvements at the Byculla Zoo after PETA filed a case in October 2004 citing the zoo’s failure to provide basic care for animals. “Despite this order, many animals are showing signs of  zoochosis — repetitive self-destructive behaviour of zoo animals,” she added.

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