The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) plan to modernise Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan Zoo (Rani Baugh) faced another hurdle when environmentalists claimed that the two-member committee appointed by Central Zoo Authority (CZA) had confirmed their fears over the project.
The CZA committee had visited the city on October 30, 2007 to evaluate the master plan submitted by BMC.
The Save Rani Baugh Botanical Garden Action Committee (SRBGAC) started a campaign against the Rs433 crore project that envisages creating 3-D theatre, auditorium, aquarium, parking, staff quarters, theme parks and night safari.
Dr Asad Rahmani, director of Bombay Natural History Society, said, “The project is economically and socially not viable. Once modernised, the zoo will be out-of-reach for the common man.”
Many trees would be axed for the project, causing a great loss to green cover of the city, environmentalists cautioned. The evaluation report procured by SRBGAC under the RTI Act has come as a blow to BMC’s claims.
Hutoxi Rustom of SRBGAC said, “The CZA committee observed many irregularities in the master plan, which could pose serious threat to the 150-year-old botanical garden.”
The evaluation report—a copy of which is present with DNA—says almost all the trees, vegetation and the existing ecosystem as well as all the existing structures will be destroyed if the master plan is implemented and the usable area will be reduced drastically.
It will also destroy existing storm water drainage system. The CZA committee has recommended modification and restructuring of existing animal enclosures instead of creating new ones. The committee has also expressed apprehension over ambiguity in cost estimations and drawings.
BMC, however, claimed that the allegations were baseless. Additional municipal commissioner RA Rajeev said, “We have replied to the queries were raised by the evaluation committee of CZA during the visit. We have stated that no trees will be cut. Final clearance is awaited.”
