No Karnataka animals for Reliance zoo in Guj

Nischith N | NT

Bengaluru: Following unconfirmed reports that Zoo Authority Of Karnataka has plans to transport a few animals to Gujarat where Reliance Industries Limited is going to build one of the world’s largest zoos in Jamnagar district, the Zoo Authority Of Karnataka and Central Zoo Authority have made it clear that they are not contemplating any such move.

The move has been opposed by Karnataka based wildlife activists who cited several points to assert why tigers and leopards should not be sent to the faraway state.

Speaking to News Trail, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Chairman L.R. Mahadevaswamy “No such proposal has been placed before the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), nor has any permission been received. Though Gujarat is coming up with the biggest zoo, we are not transporting any animals from the state as we are in a difficult stage due to COVID. So to get more visitors, we need animals and we also have plans to come-up with new projects like safari and many more. We have learnt that Gujarat has approached different states to get animals but not from Karnataka. So it is just a rumour”.

According to the reports, the zoo in Gujarat will be called ‘Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Kingdom’ and will be spread over 250.1 acres. The zoo will have birds and animals from across the world in sections named Frog House, Dragon’s Land, an Insectarium, Land of Rodent, Aquatic Kingdom, Forest of India, Marshes of West Coast, Indian Desert and Exotic Island. It is claimed that Ambani ’s 25-year-old son Anant Ambani will lead the zoo’s management.

Also it has been reported that Reliance owned Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) had written to many states’ Chief Wildlife Wardens and Principal Chief Conservators of Forest (Wildlife), seeking to ‘acquire’ rescued wild animals. In the same letter, GZRRC said that a few states do not have enough facilities to house these animals. It also said that if GHRRC will acquire these animals, it will help relieve the financial burden the state faces in taking care of these animals.

“Animals are being transported to the Gujarat Zoo from different states, but not from Karnataka. We are aware that the ZAK is planning safaris and spending crores of rupees for the purpose. But there is no such decision, and the animals will remain at the same place” says Dr Devendra from Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

Closure of zoos in Karnataka has meant no revenue coming in and these zoos, especially the bigger ones like the Mysuru Zoo and BBP, need around Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh for their maintenance every day. The annual maintenance of the zoos comes up to Rs 60 crore. To overcome this, zoos ares reaching out to people to adopt and name animals and offer donations to raise resources.