Centre educates the public on conservation
THE new state- of- the- art SivanandaKing Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu Educational Centre at the Mitchell Park Zoo, which was opened last month, has already provided educational tours to hundreds of pupils and local and international visitors.
The project, which was funded by philanthropist Ishwar Ramlutchman through the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, strives to educate children and the public on nature conservation and animal protection.
Ramlutchman, an ambassador for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, said: “There are many problems we face, including rhino poaching and pollution. The centre, which has an information officer, aims to highlight and educate children and adults on how to help and protect wildlife and nature.
“For example, there are about 30 000 giraffe in Africa. It may seem like a lot, but once you spread this across the continent the number is small.
“We are teaching others, especially youngsters, how they can work at protecting these species, and others, including the rhino, from becoming extinct.”
Ramlutchman said the centre’s name was befitting as Swami Sivananda’s influence in South Africa led to the building of more than 300 schools in KwaZulu-Natal under the leadership of Sri Swami Sahajananda and this year marked 200 years of the founding of the Zulu nation and 46 years since King Goodwill Zwelithini’s coronation as Zulu king.
“His majesty’s efforts to bring peace and stability in our province are appreciated. So it is befitting to name the educational centre after these two giants.”
Zwelithini, a strong voice in the fight against poaching, said: “We should all take the initiative to promote the park and create opportunities to highlight our rich heritage to international tourists.”
The general secretary of the Divine Life Society, Sri Swami Padamanabhananda, of Rishikesh, India, said: “South Africa has the best flora and fauna and we are part of this flora and fauna and equally dependent on them. It is imperative that we all protect the environment.”