New plan for Byculla zoo makeover ready

Four months after the central zoo authority rejected the civic body's master plan for the renovation of the Veermata Jijabai Bhosle Udyan and Zoo, a new plan has been prepared.

Thailand-based firm HKS Designers & Consultants International has prepared the new makeover plan for the 150-year-old Byculla zoo, which has a Grade II B heritage tag.

“The consultant will make an official presentation to the civic administration. Only after the municipal commissioner approves the plan, we will submit it to the central zoo authority next week,” said Aseem Gupta, additional municipal commissioner.

Despite several revisions in the first master plan, the central zoo authority had rejected it saying it was “impractical” and will reduce the green cover on the premises.

“In the new plan, we have adhered to all the directions of the authority. Minimal changes will be carried out, so that the vegetation is not destroyed,”said Anil Anjankar, director of the Byculla zoo.

Under the new plan, only three exotic animal species will be housed in the zoo —humboldt penguins from Chile, zebra and emus from Australia. Earlier, the BMC had wanted to bring in many exotic species such as the red ruffed lemur, white rhino, lorikeet, wallaby, orangutan and binturong.

“We have decided to bring only those exotic species that can get accustomed to the climate here,” added Gupta.

According to the new plan, no new animal enclosures will be built. Instead, there are chances that the number of existing enclosures will be reduced, said civic officials.

Following the annexure of the central zoo authority, several animals, including monkey, lioness, black buck, nilgai, sambhar, rhino, will be shifted to the rescue centre.

“Most of the animal enclosures at present are empty. And shifting these animals will result in more empty cages. We will merge the enclosures that are close to each other, provided no trees are affected,” said a civic official.

The new enclosures would have glass dividers giving the impression that all animals co-exist in one enclosure.