Goa left out of central zoo upgradation fund
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 22
Goa has skipped the list of States, which have benefited from the Central funds for upgradation of Zoos.
As per the information released by Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), during 11th Five Year Plan has provided a financial assistance of Rs 48.39 crores to the zoos located in 24 states, except for Goa.
When asked, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF), Dr Shashi Kumar stated that he is not aware about the matter. “As I have not got any such information, it won’t be wise to comment,” he said.
Goa’s smallest zoo-Bondla is getting a major facelift at a tune of Rs 20 crore, to be partially funded by the central government. The amount will be made available in phase manner for next one decade. The first phase has been already received by the state.
However, the amount does not figure in the information given by the Ministry of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Mohammad Ali Khan in Rajya Sabha today.
Dr Kumar also failed to explain why the amount was not figured.
The statistics reveals that Tamil Nadu has been awarded the highest financial assistance at the tune of Rs 7.17 crore followed by Andhra Pradesh (6.57 crore), Karnataka (Rs 6 crore), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 29 crore), Mizoram and Rajasthan (Rs 27 crore each).
As per the available data, for the year 2007-08, the CZA has award 14.66 crores to all the 24 states, while in 2008-09 the amount came down to Rs 13.90 crore.
For the year 2009-10, Rs 14.40 crore was made available to the states whereas for 2010-11, the CZA has given a financial assistance of Rs 5.42 crore.
“The CZA provides a financial help to all the states with a view to improve the upkeep of animals, including housing, veterinary and other infrastructural facilities,” PIB press note reads.
