Why zoo a/c in name of ‘Prince of Wales’? HC seeks clarification

LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court has directed the state counsel to seek clarification from the zoo administration on a PIL seeking removal of name of ‘Prince of Wales’ from the bank account of Lucknow Zoo and changing it to the zoo’s present name -- Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden.

A division bench, consisting Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Abdul Moin, passed the order on December 12 on a PIL filed by AK Mishra, an advocate, and Dr Sandeep Kumar Paul, a veterinary doctor. The court had given 10 days’ time to the state counsel to seek clarification from the superintendent of the Zoo and give his response.

“The matter has not been officially placed before me. I came to know about the issue through newspapers reports,” said RK Singh, the zoo’s director.

Another issue raised by the petitioners in the PIL was related to the conducting of dog shows. They sought directives from the

THE COURT HAD GIVEN 10 DAYS’ TIME TO THE STATE COUNSEL TO SEEK CLARIFICATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ZOO AND GIVE HIS RESPONSE

court for proper implementation of the laid down rules and adherence of the conditions issued by the director, veterinary department, to all chief veterinary officers of the state for holding dog shows. These rules/directives were issued on January 10, 2014.

The petitioners pointed out that organisers of dog shows were not following the laid down conditions not only in Lucknow but other cities also.

The court directed district magistrate, Lucknow, to ensure that before granting permission for holding dog shows relevant conditions laid down on January 10, 2014, were fulfilled and if there were any other rules or regulations applicable, they must also be strictly followed.

The court listed the case for hearing on January 4, 2018.