The Hindu : Autonomous zoo authority mooted

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 17, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Autonomous zoo authority mooted

By P. Oppili

CHENNAI JULY 16. A separate autonomous `Zoo Authority of Tamil Nadu' to govern zoos (small, medium and large) will be formed in the State soon. A proposal to this effect, mooted by the AAZP general body, which met recently, was sent to the Government.

According to zoo authorities, the Government has agreed in principle to work out the modalities to form the autonomous body at the earliest.

In the neighbouring Karnataka, a separate body was created by the Forest department sometime ago, mainly to help zoological parks to function independently and receive funds directly from the Central Zoo Authority and other funding agencies.

Under the existing system, funds are directly sent to the State Governments concerned. Most of the time the funds are not released to the zoo authorities due to which many development works could not be taken up, say wildlife sources. The authorities are pinning their hopes on the formation of the autonomous body, which will help in improving visitor amenities and to take up development works on the premises, say the sources.

Meanwhile, the authorities have hiked the entrance fee to the Vandalur Zoo from July 1. The revised rates are Rs. 15 for elders and Rs. 10 for children. Earlier, it was Rs. 5 for both adults and children. Two years ago, a proposal to hike the entrance fee was sent to the Government for its approval, but it was not accepted. Once again, the same proposal was sent recently and the Government immediately gave the green signal, said the zoo authorities.

Statistics show that 1.75 lakh people visited the zoo in May and June this year. Compared to the last three years, the number has increased considerably, says the Director, P. C. Tyagi.

Immediate attention has to be bestowed on the maintenance of lawns in the zoo. With no watering and application of manure, the lawns are dying. Zoo sources said pellets (deer droppings) had to be collected and sprayed on the lawns, which would help the ornamental Korean grass to grow.

A new-born zebra calf sustained injuries after birth early on Tuesday. A suggestion to provide a straw bed for the mother to deliver the young one was made, but the authorities did not take it up seriously, say the sources. This had led to the injury. However, the authorities are hopeful that the calf would survive without any problem.

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