Master Plan of Nehru Zoological Park approved

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has approved a long pending master plan for the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP). As part of the plan, the zoo will be taking up several initiatives that include breeding and rearing endangered species of fauna with special emphasis on fauna from the Deccan peninsular, documentation of habitats and behaviour of animals and birds in natural surroundings and in captivity, involving research organisations such as LaCones, CCMB and other zoological institutions.

“It is also proposed to take up the breeding of white and yellow tigers and Asiatic lions for genetic diversity,” said G Ravi, curator, NZP. It is proposed to acquire 26 single animals and 10 new species which include Zebras, Apes, flawless otter and other bird species belonging to Deccan pennisular region.

The other important activities under this plan or correction of Safaris of Bear and Indian Gaur, improvement of Deerland by relocating the deer an antelope enclosures. The major objective of zoo authorities is translocation of the free ranging animals i.e basically Chital (Axis axis) and crocodiles and to improve landscaping of the area with modern concepts by introducing the indigenous flora of Deccan region.

The national zoo policy envisages that number of species native to the region (70 per cent), other indigenous species (20 per cent) and the exotic (10 per cent) respectively, taking into account of the unique collection of exotic species to be around 25. The commoner exotic species are proposed to be kept out of the collection plan.