For some reason, Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) has not been able to keep up with the popularity of Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, popularly known as Mysore zoo. Numero uno in many aspects, Mysore zoo, which is spread over 86 acres, has the credit of captive breeding of many exotic animals and birds. In fact, it was the first zoo which mooted the idea of animal and bird adoption scheme. This scheme has become so popular that any animal lover who visits the zoo, does not return without adopting a small bird. But it is not the same case with our BBP.
"Last year we got Rs14 lakhs through adoption. In fact Ashok Kheny, managing director of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises, adopted two tigers which alone earned us Rs 2 - 3 lakhs. That was a major adoption. Otherwise, only a few birds and snakes were adopted," said Range Gowda, chief conservator of forests and the executive director, who also explained that though there are plenty of choices to adopt at BBP, it is miniscule when compared to the Mysore zoo.
"The zoo in Mysore is old and established. But at the BBP, the safari is the highlight as compared to the zoo," he added. However, Range Gowda admitted that there has been no particular drive to boost the concept of adoption. He said, "Bangalore can be a better place when it comes to adoption of animals than Mysore mainly because the city has many corporates who undertake various CSR activities. In fact, we got around Rs 70 lakhs through their CSR activities which helped in procuring of animals and birds."
BBP has been trying to drive the concept but even the bike rally, which was held recently for the sake of adoption, did not create much of an impact. "Adoption is an individual choice," said Range Gowda and added, "Our adoption procedure is very easy. But somehow, we are not creating the right kind of awareness."
According to a frequent visitor to BBP, the shortcoming is in interaction. "People come, buy tickets, enjoy the zoo visit but they do not have any further knowledge about BBP and its other activities," he said. He further added, "Since Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city, it is better to have signages in different languages. This will help visitors to learn about the different species and provide the right kind of involvement."