With diminishing number of animals, Jijamata Udyan has not remained a place for families and kids
Jijamata Udyaan, the only zoo in Mumbai, is undergoing renovation since March this year to provide better habitation to the animals, birds and reptiles alike. However, the diminishing number of wild animals has changed the whole demography of visitors lately. The zoo that was a favourite among children and families has now found a new audience — young couples.
"Most of the cages are empty and some even demolished. On a normal day, if there are about 1,000 visitors, 600 are couples and only 200 are families with children. The rest 200 are singles who use the space for studying," said Mahindra Mahadik (39), who has been issuing tickets at the zoo for more than 10 years.
Almost every bench installed in the zoo can be seen occupied by couples. The place looks less like a zoo and more like a garden filled with lovebirds. The footfalls completely depends on whether it is a weekday or a weekend. Sundays bring in a few families. "We know that there are very few animals left in the zoo, but we have no other option. Kids want to go to a zoo to see wild animals. So, we come here on our weekly off days, mostly on Sundays," said Arvind Patil, (43), a father of two.
Ticket prices for entry into the zoo has remained at Rs5 for more than 15 years. This serves as a big positive for couples to spend nearly nine hours of 'quality time' with each other. "They charge only Rs5 per head. And it is not a garden; no one can ask us to vacate the premises because we have valid tickets that allows us to be in the zoo premises till its closing time," said a college-going youth.
After a proper revamp, increase in ticket prices can prove a deterrent, believes the director of the zoo, Sanjay Tripathy. "The revamping will be completed by the end of 2017. Number of families visiting the zoo will increase and that should give the zoo its true identity and visitors again. Until then, neither can we increase the prices, nor ask the couples to go away," said Tripathy.
On being asked about the increasing numbers of couples, he said, "During visiting hours anyone can enter the zoo and stay till the closing time, unless they indulge in any indecent activity."
The zoo currently houses 265 birds, 132 mammals and 23 reptiles. The zoo is open on all days of the week from 9am to 6pm, except on Wednesdays.
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