Heritage panel view on zoo overlooked

The BMC has decided to go ahead with its Byculla zoo modernisation plan despite a few objections raised by the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC).

Turning down the BMC’s Rs434-crore master plan for the Byculla zoo last week, the MHCC had asked the civic body to rework its proposal, as it was not sure whether the character of the botanical garden (Victoria Garden) inside the zoo will be retained in the proposed layout.

However, BMC insists that the master plan for the zoo is as per Central Zoo Authority (CZA) recommendations and will not need any reworking.

“The CZA has already given its sanction for the master plan. There is no problem. The heritage panel has expressed some problems with area calculations in the master plan, which can be rectified.

The green cover will not be endangered and no trees will be cut while executing the plan,” said Anil Anjankar, director, Byculla zoo.

Meanwhile, the BMC is planning to send zookeepers to Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Katraj and Thailand (as per the master plan) in order to sensitise them about animals and birds.

CZA has also made it mandatory for the zoo to maintain data regarding the health status of animals and birds and exchange information with the zoos across world.