‘Hot grass’ to save animals at the Byculla zoo

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to protect the flora and fauna at the Veer Jijamata Udyan (Byculla zoo) using a new technique. This is a part of several measures being taken in the Rs434-crore zoo modernisation plan.

The measure, called the hot grass technique, to be used around trees and moats will protect the plants and animals in the zoo. Hot grass is a protective network resembling natural climbers or vines.

“Hot grass will be provided to prevent animals from falling into the moats. Similarly, wherever a large tree is present, herbivorous animals tend to eat its bark. So to save the trees, a protective network of hot grass will be put around it. A very mild electric shock will prevent the animals from going near the trees. This shock will not be harmful to animals,” said the BMC’s zoo official.

The zoo houses 201 mammals of 19 species, 520 birds of 39 species, 46 reptiles of 9 species and 3,173 trees of 226 species.

Another technique called the Buzon system will be used for the protection of tree roots. 
The grass near the parking lots and children’s play area will also be protected. “There will be a grass protection system so that even when a bus runs over the grass, it will not be damaged,” said the official. Moreover, to understand animal behaviour, CCTVs will be installed in the enclosures.

The BMC aims at educating visitors about animal behaviour. “The display area in the enclosure should simulate the habitat of that animal. If it is a tiger, there will be a dense forest with a water fall and a pool. There will be bamboo trees for them to be able to camouflage themselves. We want to educate the visitors about the habitat a tiger requires for living,” he said.