Finding no takers here and what can be termed as the indifferent attitude of their own countrymen, the inmates of Bhagwan Birsa Zoo are now looking to Bharatwansis living abroad for being adopted. While no one new has turned up for 97 animals which have been made available for adoption by the zoo authority this year, some teachers and students from Purdue University, USA, have shown interest.
Though no major breakthrough has been achieved yet in this regard, it is expected that the fresh call can break the jinx. "A team of Professor Alok R Chaturvedi and some of his students visited the zoo about a month back and had shown their interest in adopting some animals. We are expecting their response in this regard soon," said Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden AK Mishra.
Professor Chaturvedi is associated with Krannert School of Management, Purdue University and has been the alumni of Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra of Ranchi. The zoo authority had come up with fresh adoption plan some time ago with revised price tags for the animals. looking for good response the authority had published detailed brochures with rate cards for the common people and wildlife lovers. However, the effort has not elicited the expected response.
As per latest report just a single animal, Civet Cat, has been able to attract attention of an animal lover out of the 97 made available. More worryingly cine star Priyanka Chopra, who had adopted a lioness Sundri for last two years, has not shown any interest in renewing the contract so far and the lioness has lost the celebrity tag.
"Her relatives had paid visits to Birsa Zoo and asked for the new price list. They also enquired about the health of the lioness and some other animals. We have provided them all the relevant and desired information and awaiting the response," said a Zoo authority official. Contract of lioness Sundri with Priyanka expired on July 31, 2013 for which the rate for adoption has gone up by
Rs 95,000 for a year from present Rs 2 lakh. Though, the Forest and Environment Department is defending the quest. "The adoption policy is not entirely aimed to collect fund as money is immaterial here. What we want is to develop a connect between wildlife and animal lovers. This is an effort to sensitise the masses about environment protection. Bringing celebrities into fray would gather greater level of awareness but we cannot force anyone for that," added Mishra.
The Department besides the Bollywood diva, is also in the process to approach cricket wizard and captain of Indian cricket team Mahendra Singh Dhoni though without much success. Apart from some PSUs such as SAIl and Mecon, Punjab National Bank and few individuals, majority of the inmates are like 'orphan'.
"We have also adopted sufficient ways to make the scheme popularise through pamphlets and putting it on our website. As far as price tag is concerned, it has gone up due to growing expanses incurring in taking care of the inmates. It has gone up with inflation," said the zoo official. The zoo having around 1,200 animals launched its adoption programme some two years back.