B K Gupta, evaluation and monitoring officer of the CZA and A S Dogra, retired principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), Punjab, were in the city to evaluate the mini zoo in the city, whose recognition expires on March 31, 2011.
The team along with zoo controller Dr E R Patil and forest department representative Avinash Anjikar and zoo incharge Dr S S Bawaskar did a site inspection of the zoo for one-and-a-half hours from 9 am to 10.30 am.
Later, talking to the waiting newsmen, Gupta and Dogra reiterated that submitting a master plan is mandatory under the Recognition of Zoo Rules. The city zoo has not fulfilled this condition even after two years. They said March 2009 was the deadline to submit the plan but its has not been done.
The zoo recognition was extended on January 30, 2009 till March 2011. The PDKV was asked to comply with 19 conditions. Of this, 11 were to be followed immediately while 8 were to be complied with in six months. However, the zoo has not followed many of these conditions.
When asked, Gupta and Dogra said, "We are not happy with the present state of affairs. There are no requisite facilities and staff. Even after two years, there is no noticeable change in the zoo. The PDKV will have to change its mindset for revamping the zoo."
Gupta said the zoo wants to get upgraded as a small zoo from the category of mini zoo. For this, the PDKV will have to give a commitment and make additional land available.
Gupta said at present, it is more of a garden and recreational centre than a zoo. There are no checks on visitors who litter the area near the cages with plastic, thereby threatening the lives of animals. The nullah continues to be a threat and needs to be covered.
The CZA team also expressed the view that if the PDKV was not serious about operating the zoo it should inform them. "We are ready to hand over the zoo to the forest department as it has been done in Alipore zoo near Kolkata. The animals can also be shifted to the proposed rescue centre at Gorewada," said Gupta.
The team also expressed concern over excess animals in the zoo. The number of leopards and deer is beyond the carrying capacity and needs to be shifted. "The zoo is not ready to shift the animals nor is it working for its development," they said.
Gupta added that the PDKV still has 70 days to submit the master plan. The plan is gathering dust in university controller's office in Akola.
The zoo evaluation team will submit its report in eight days. Sources said the zoo is likely to get a one-year extension if the master plan is submitted. On December 27, the zoo submitted a formal application to the CZA to renew the recognition.
The team inspected the zoo inventory, kitchen, quarantine, enclosures, signages, feed and fruits given to animals.
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