Humboldt Penguins with ‘western names’ unveiled
Months after procuring eight Humboldt penguins at the Byculla zoo, Shiv Sena's highly criticised penguin project went on display for public viewing from today. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated the penguin enclosures on Friday along with Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta. Visiting the penguins that are kept in speacial enclosures kept in the zoo will be free till March 31. Surprisingly, Sena's estranged ally Bhartiya Janata Party leaders were absent at the event.
Taking a dig AT the BJP's transparency claim, Sena supremo, Uddhav Thackeray quipped, "Our mirrors are always transparent siince everyone can clearly view whats inside". At the inauguration, Thackeray congratulated municipal Commissioner and his team for completing the project. He said, "BMC is the first corporation in the country to bring in such exotic birds and successfully complete the project. Now mumbaikars can see penguins exclusively which we earlier saw only in movies." Taunting at the BJP claim of working only for transparency in the civic body, Thackeray said, "You can clearly see the penguins through the 'transparent' glass in Byculla zoo, there is nothing in between. I do not know whether it is the govt's job to provide a quality life to its citizens but BMC will surely do its duty". He also promised to fulfill their partyy manifesto.
Speaking about the revised Development Plan 2014-34 that is extended for the next two months, Mehta said, "The coming DP will also focus on renovation and beautification of heritage structures in the city. We have acquired the land for textile museum wherein the common man too will learn about textiles." He also added that the BMC-CST square is the best heritage square in the entire world, which will be made into a tourist hub in the next three months.
Further explaining about a modern zoo concept, Mehta said, "We are working on 20 gardens which will be opened in the next 3 months and 18 new enclosures under the modern zoo concept. The concept talks about conservation, study and entertainment for the visitors" However charges will be revised later. "The enrty will be free for kids and cheaper for adults who accompany kids than those who come alone. We want to make this a family entertainment spot".
The project was criticised after the death of a female Humboldt penguin named Dory due to a brief illness. However, Sanjay Tripathi, Director of the zoo, said that the rest seven penguins ( Donald, Daisy, Olive, Popeye, Bubble, Flipper and Molt) are doing well and have ergular checkups.The civic body plans to charge an additional fee from April 1 for an access to the penguin enclsoures. Reportedly, the civic body will charge Rs 100 for Adult and Rs 50 for Child. At present, visitors have to pay Rs5 for entry at the Zoo. The civic body is expecting that around 6000 to 7000 visitors during weekend. Makeover work of the Ranibag Zoo is already underway and even a tender has also been floated for procuring all kind of animals including lion for the zoo.