Though the government has categorically stated that there is no proposal to shift Indira Gandhi Zoological Park to Dabbanda, vested interests are still trying to bulldoze their way by making use of the loopholes in law, according to reliable sources.
HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao first dropped hints on the proposal to shift the zoo during his interactions with the media early last year.
Later, the Chief Minister denied that there was any such proposal following a hue and cry raised by people’s organisations.
Though no new zoo can be established without the concurrence of the Supreme Court, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), which is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, is the final authority for shifting of existing zoos in the country.
Citing the alienation of 30,000 acres of forest land to the capital region, official sources say it would not be difficult for the Telugu Desam Government to get necessary permissions from the CZA.
The zoo in the city is the only facility in India to be located amidst natural settings. Green hills act as a barrier on two sides and a natural stream is located right at the middle.
There were very few instances of zoos being shifted. But they were shifted as there was no scope for further expansion.
“Only around 150 of the 625 acres of forest land in the zoo has been utilised and we have lot of scope for expansion on the existing premises, and there is no need of shifting,” said a senior forest official last year when the controversy was brought to his notice.
Shifting the zoo will disrupt the country’s only successful captive breeding programme of rare species like wild dog, ring-tailed lemurs, Royal Bengal Tiger, bison, hog deer, Chousinga, sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, and wolves.
The zoo, if moved to the proposed new premises, 25 km away, would result in drop in visitors, thereby defeating the very purpose of visitor education.
“We will oppose any such move by the government,” People For India (PFI) chairperson K.V. Ramana said.
