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Central Zoo Authority recognizes two new zoos one in U.P and another in Bihar
Key Highlights
At the 37th General Body meeting of Central Zoo Authority chaired by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change two new zoos the Rajgir Zoo Safari in Nalanda, Bihar and Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh were granted recognition.
Rajgir Zoo Safari, Nalanda, Bihar
- The zoo is established exclusively comprising on only safari enclosures which, on contrary to conventional enclosure, offer larger space for captive animals.
- There are five safari enclosures and a walk-in proposed in the zoo.
- The zoo proposes to house Lion, Bear, Tiger, Leopard and a mixed safari of common herbivore species such as Spotted Deer, Sambar among others.
- The zoo is located close to the historically important Nalanda and is expected to have a high footfall.
- The zoo will display wild animals in naturalistic safari enclosures and promote awareness of wildlife conservation.
Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan, Gorakhpur, U.P.
- With the recognition by CZA, the state of Uttar Pradesh has a total of 9 zoos
- It is situated in the spiritual land of Gorakhpur and has a high visitation.
- The zoo features enclosures for a range of birds, herbivores and carnivores.
- The zoo aims to create awareness through naturalistic enclosures and create long-lasting visitor experience through state-of-the-art visitor facilities like 4D Theatre, battery-operated train and accessibility to Divyangjan.
About Central Zoo Authority(CZA)
- The CZA is a statutory body chaired by the Environment Minister and tasked with regulating zoos across the country.
- It lays down guidelines and prescribes rules under which animals may be transferred among zoos nationally and internationally.
- Apart from the chairman, it consists of 10 members and a member-secretary. Almost all of them are officials in the Environment Ministry and non-government experts are those who are wildlife conservationists or retired forest officers.
- The main objective of the Authority is to complement and strengthen the national effort in conservation of the rich biodiversity of the country, particularly the fauna as per the National Zoo Policy, 1998.
- Other objectives of this Authority include enforcing minimum standards and norms for upkeep and healthcare of animals in Indian zoos and to control mushrooming of unplanned and ill conceived zoos.
- Every zoo in the country is required to obtain recognition from the Authority for its operation.
- The role of the Authority is more as a facilitator than as a regulator.
Source: PIB
