Times of India 20.07.2009

PCMC draws up Rs 10-crore masterplan for small zoo

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has prepared a Rs 10-crore masterplan for setting up a small zoo within the civic limits and on the premises of the Bahinabai Chaudhary zoo in Akurdi, and sent it for approval to the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI).

It may be noted that two years ago, the CZAI had given permission to the PCMC to redevelop the Bahinabai zoo into a small zoo on the reptile-amphibian and butterfly theme. Speaking to TOI on Thursday, Anil Khaire, director, Bahinabai Chaudhary zoo, said the CZAI had approved the small-zoo status and directed the civic body to prepare a masterplan for the same.

Khaire said, "A 12-member committee, under the chairmanship of Subhash Dumbre, additional commissioner, PCMC, was formed to prepare the masterplan. The committee consisted of executive engineer Ashok Dhage, chief garden superintendent Suresh Salunke, veterinary officer Satish Gore, retired scientist of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) M S Pradhan and others. This committee has prepared a masterplan and submitted it for approval to the CZAI."

Speaking about the plan, Khaire said, "There will be sections for pheasants, aviary of aquatic birds and reptiles. There will be an interpretation centre, veterinary centre for medical facilities for the animals. Also, information resource centre, books, CDs, journals and internet facility will be available here."

Khaire said the zoo will house mostly reptiles from the western ghats and some endangered reptile species found across the country. "There will be 20 species of snakes, three to four species of frogs and 10 to 12 species of aquatic birds."

Explaining the reason for choosing the theme of reptile-amphibian and butterfly for the small zoo, Khaire said the resources available at the PCMC were suitable to develop a zoo only on such a theme. The zoo is part of a conservation and breeding programme on the local, national and international levels.

Explaining the significance of getting the small-zoo status for the PCMC-run zoo, Khaire said, "In September 1992, the Union government formed the CZAI. There were 500 zoos of various types in the country at that time. The CZAI reviewed conditions of these zoos, some of which were just menageries, and lacked planning, breeding facilities as well as trained staff. The Union government ordered closure of most of them after reviewing the facilities, allowing only 169 zoos to function across the country. One of the few zoos to be recognised by the CZAI is the PCMC's Bahinabai Chaudhary zoo."

Khaire said the PCMC had agreed to make changes in the existing zoo as per the guide-lines of the CZAI, hence they received the small-zoo status. He said the masterplan is expected to be approved by the CZAI in a month and the zoo will be developed in phases after the approval.

The Business Line 16.07.2009

Master plans for 18 towns in Kerala ready: Minister

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram, July 15

Master plans for 18 towns in Kerala are ready and the Government is in the process of preparing the plans for other towns, according to the Minister for Local Administration, Mr Paloli Mohammed Kutty.

Replying to questions in the State Assembly on Wednesday, the Minister said that an amount of Rs 2.5 crore would be provided during the current year for the work connected with the preparation of the master plans.

Mr Kutty said in reply to another question that as many as 20,995 files were pending disposal at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation office. These included 4,129 files in the Engineering and Town Planning section, 3,534 files in the Fort Zonal office and 2,676 files in the Revenue Non-tax section.

Onam bazars

The Minister told the House that the Kudumbasree self-help groups would run more than 1,000 bazars in as many places in the State during the Onam season.

The Finance Minister, Dr. Thomas Isaac, said that the pending honorarium to Mahila Pradhan agents in the State for the last six months would be given before Onam.

The Home Minister, Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, said that only 22 per cent of the police officials in the State were being provided residential quarters at present. The Government would ensure that officials attached to all police stations were gradually provided residential quarters in the vicinity of their work place.

As many as 78 police stations in the State were now functioning in rented building, the Minister said in reply to another question.

Tourism meet

Mr Balakrishnan said Kerala Tourism would organise ‘partnership meets’ in foreign countries and various Indian cities to attract tourists to the State.

He said the meets would be held in Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, France and Italy to attract foreign tourists and 11 cities in India.