After being closed for an year, the Department of Forests (Wildlife) Haryana is considering to reopen its Zoos for the general public. A proposal has been sent to the State Government regarding approval of reopening the Zoos in the State, Haryana Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) ML Rajvanshi said.

Haryana has three Zoos, two national parks, eight wildlife sanctuaries, two wildlife conservation areas, four animal and bird breeding centers and one deer park, all of which are managed by the Haryana Wildlife and Forest department. Three Zoos of Haryana have remained closed to the public for nearly a year now due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Talking to The Pioneer on Phone, Rajvanshi said, “The Forests (Wildlife) Department is awaiting the State government’s nod for reopening to visitors.” Another officer said that the Central Government has already given its consent to the proposal for reopening the Zoos amidst compliance of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety guidelines for the visitors, staff and the animals.

Rajvanshi said that Zoo authorities in the State were earlier asked to prepare comprehensive SOPs including social distancing among visitors, wearing of masks and so on to be followed during Covid-19 pandemic.

SOPs had been separately prepared for the safety of visitors, staff, and animals based on the advice of health authorities and the vets. Sources said that the Zoos’ survival which covers animal feeding and other operating costs was entirely based on the visitors’ entry fee. However, Rajvanshi denied this and said that revenue is not an issue. The objective behind the reopening is to create awareness among the people about wildlife.

“We are awaiting government directives on our proposals. The Department has consented. The Health Department and the disaster management authority may be consulted before a decision was made. The decision rests with the State Government and department is prepared for reopening by enforcing strict safety norms.”

When contacted Shiv Singh, Rohtak DFO (Wildlife) said that no direction has been received regarding reopening of Rohtak Zoo. Works related to modernisation are underprocessed in Rohtak Zoo, he added. 

MOST MIGRATORY BIRDS LEAVE SULTANPUR NATIONAL PARK AS SUMMER SETS IN

Sultanpur National park (wildlife) Inspector Rajesh Chahal said that about 37,000 migratory birds of 75 species have been spotted and chose to nest at the Sultanpur National Park (Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary), located at Sultanpur village on Gurugram-Jhajjar highway, Gurugram, this winter season. With the temperatures in the State beginning to soar, these migratory birds started their homeward journey a couple of weeks ago. Most of them have left Sultanpur National Park. Rising temperature coupled with the decreasing water levels in the lake also contributed to migration, he added.

WILDLIFE CENSUS IN HARYANA LIKELY TO BEGIN IN APRIL

The Haryana Wildlife and Forest Department officer said that Wildlife census is likely to start in April. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, is the nodal agency for wildlife counting. The previous wildlife census in the State was held around six years ago in 2014. Normally, such counting is being done in four years. Due to the Corona pandemic in 2020, it was delayed by a year or so. The counting, being done for the second time in the State after six years, will be completed in four months by involving department officials, WII, Dehradun, officials.