Animals are going hungry due to financial crunch in Punjab Government! In the MC Zoological Park, Chhatbir Zoo, on the outskirts of Chandigarh in Mohali district of Punjab, State forest and wildlife department has failed to provide requisite funds to the zoo bringing the animals on the verge of starvation.
The biggest zoo of this region, housing more than 1,000 wild animals and birds, including endangered species, has to purchase meat, fodder, vegetables, fruits and other diet supplements or vitamins from various contractors on daily basis according to the requirement or seasonal needs. The authorities in the zoo had some financial autonomy to purchase the food for animals at their own level to maintain the supply line. However, for the past few weeks, Punjab forest and wildlife department gave the sole authority of payment to the treasury branch of the State Government, triggering a problem of sorts for the animals.
Sources said that the same contractors, who used to get their payment for their supplies on time earlier, are not getting their payment in the stipulated period because of delay in bills passed at the treasury branch. When contacted, officials in treasury branch said they can’t release the funds unless the higher authority gives them approval.
Sources said zoo authorities have practically been forced to arrange the food of the animals by diverting funds of various schemes, including CAMPA scheme and Greening Punjab Mission to get rid of financial crisis and maintain the supply line of food to the animals. Animals could starve any moment now due to the funds crunch. Even the employees of the zoo, including field director, do not get their wages on time.
The Zoo has more than 250 employees (150 regular and 100 daily wagers). All the employees have to wait more than two months to get their salary, due to on going financial crunch. “We can solve our financial problem by borrow money from some one but what about these innocent animals and birds, who can’t even ask for food”, an employee told The Pioneer on the condition of anonymity.
When contacted, Dr. Munish Kumar, field director of Zoo, admitted that there was a problem of financial crisis in zoo. Sources added that financial problem was not limited to Chhatbir zoo alone. A similar situation prevails at Bathinda zoo which has a population of 400 animals, Neelon (ludhiana) with 150 animals, Patiala with 400 animals and Tiger Safari at ludhiana with 150 wild beasts and birds. They said that the situation is so bad that local NGOs are being roped in to try and stop the animals from perishing due to starvation.