The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) will launch a five-year plan for conservation breeding of endangered species in the zoological parks of North-Eastern and Eastern zone States. It was revealed at a four-day workshop organised by Nandankanan Zoological Park in collaboration with CZA on Monday.
The workshop brought together about 35 zoo directors from eight States to deliberate on how to improvise the conservation techniques implemented across the zoos. The CZA has identified 26 endangered species which need to be conserved urgently. About 35 zoos are expected to be covered under this project.
A proposal will be drafted by the participants under the ‘Species Recovery Plan’ during the course of the workshop and placed before the CZA. Funds will be sanctioned based on the proposal. CZA member secretary BS Bonal said the annual funding was better as they will have a prior idea of the details of funds distribution and allocation.
“The annual funding pattern will give the zoo authorities more time to decide on the funds they need from the respective State Governments,” said Bonal. Once items are sanctioned, it will become clearer as to how much more is needed, he added.
The purpose of the workshop is to develop a long term plan for conservation of the endangered species. Odisha Chief Wildlife Warden JD Sharma explained that funding was not a problem, but formulating a proposal based on scientific inputs was the need of the hour.
More species will be added to Nandankanan Zoological Park as the zoo, which is successfully breeding pangolin, is expected to begin breeding of the endangered species vulture too, he added. The enclosure for accommodating the vultures, one among the list of 26 endangered species identified by CZA, have already been constructed at the zoo.
Nandankanan Zoological Park presently has just one biologist, provided by the CZA a few years back, for pangolin breeding. The zoo lacks adequate scientific know-how and technical manpower crucial for better conservation and breeding.
CZA has already drafted norms for the five year plan which will be implemented after the proposal of conservation breeding is submitted at the end of the workshop. Forest and Environment Department Secretary RK Sharma also attended the workshop.
The Plan
■ The CZA has identified 26 endangered species which need to be conserved urgently
■ About 35 zoos across India are expected to be covered under this project
■ A proposal will be drafted under ‘Species Recovery Plan’, and placed before CZA