Byculla zoo: BMC to submit proposal for exotic animal zones to central authority

Civic body to set up 6 sections on 28,274sqm plot; will import various species once project gets nod

MUMBAI: The Byculla zoo may soon be home to jaguar, giraffe, and various species of lemur, once phase 3 of its renovations is completed. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will send a proposal to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) on Friday, for approval for the phase of the Byculla zoo revamp plan.

Dr Sanjay Tripathi, director of the Byculla zoo, said, “This is approval of the plan layout of the zoo expansion into the adjoining area that was in the possession of Mafatlal Industries until August this year. The proposal is ready, and we are sending it to CZA on Friday.”

Once the phase is completed, the zoo authority will bring animals such as the dingo, cassowary, jaguar, rhinoceros, giraffe, ostrich, zebra, oryx, capybara, capuchin, cheetah, chimpanzee, black and white Lemur, and ringtail lemur to the Mumbai zoo.

CZA, which regulates all zoos in the country, has specific requirements which the zoo will need to fulfil to more ahead with the plan. These include the shape and dimension of enclosures where animals will live.

“Once CZA gives its permission, BMC can begin the construction work. Other permissions will be required later, at the time of bringing in the animals,” said a senior zoo official.

“We will have to float separate tenders to acquire the exotic species. The permissions will differ for each species, such as availability of medical staff specialising

in treating the species, or food required for the animals.”

In August, BMC rolled out its zoo expansion plan after winning over the adjoining 28,274-sqm plot belonging to Mafatlal Industries. According to the plan, the new plot will be divided into six zones: Australian, South American and African Savannah, South East Asian Zone, a primate island, and a flamingo island.

Presently, the work of phase 2 of the zoo expansion plan is underway. BMC has already started construction of 17 enclosures in the zoo, which will house other indigenous animals.