Delhi zoo gears up for global meet on biodiversity

NEW DELHI: The National Zoological Park here is gearing up for the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) conference to be held in India for the first time in 2014. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has proposed ‘zoo as window to biodiversity’ as the theme for the conference, which will be attended by zoo directors from across the world and will include presentation of several case studies of zoos in India. The theme is in line with CZA’s larger goal of creating large enclosures and a natural habitat for zoo inmates.

The Delhi zoo is constructing pathways, signboards and counters to prepare the event. Zoo curator (education) Riaz Khan said visitors will begin to see the difference in a couple of months. “There will be proper signage to make it easier for visitors to find the enclosures,” he said. The zoo is also working on creating enclosures akin to the animals’ natural habitat.

“We are letting the grass grow tall and the enclosures to be surrounded by thick foliage. This will create a forest-like environment. Though the work is under way, converting the enclosures completely will take time,” added Khan. Over 5,000 saplings were planted near the enclosures to create a screen of foliage, Khan said. “Visitors have a habit of breaking branches or disturbing animals. Covering the enclosures with greenery will ensure animals have their own space,” added Khan. The Delhi zoo is far from implementing the guidelines in the master plan. To begin with, it has made a special section called the Indian herbivores where different species of deer are being kept. The zoo officials are working on improving this enclosure.

Brij Kishor Gupta, evaluation and monitoring officer for CZA, said they are phasing out small enclosures. “We have directed all zoos to create large enclosures with a natural habitat developed for each species. This will be discussed in WAZA as well,” he said. According to Gupta, zoos like those in Vishakapatnam, Chennai, Mysore and Nandankanan have been able to replicate the natural habitat of animals to some extent.