Patna, July 28: If you wish to adopt a Royal Bengal tiger like Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, there can be a way out near home soon. If all goes well, you would be able to do so at our very own Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park.
The zoo authorities have recently submitted a plan to the state forests and environment department proposing to allow residents adopt the zoo animals for a day or month. They are expecting a green signal in two months.
The zoo director, Abhay Kumar, said the plan aims at connecting residents with wildlife and generating awareness on the proper upkeep of animals and birds at Patna zoo. “We have proposed the animal adoption plan with the objective of encouraging people to participate in zoo management, wildlife conservation and awareness. The proposed scheme would also generate revenue for the zoo. The proposal has been formulated and recently submitted to the state government,” Kumar told The Telegraph.
If the state government gives a go-ahead, you would be able to join the club of celebrities, who have adopted animals at several zoos in the country. While actress Priyanka Chopra has adopted a white tigress at Birsa Munda Zoo in Ranchi, the first to stand up for the cause of wild animals among our sporting idols was Javagal Srinath, who adopted a jaguar. Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan have also adopted a giraffe and a tiger, respectively. According to the Patna zoo’s plan, individual residents, families, institutions or companies would be able to adopt one or more animals. Just like Mahi donated a lakh as his annual sponsorship fee for Agasthya, the Royal Bengal tiger of the Mysore zoo, those of you who would take the responsibility of animals at the zoo here would have to sponsor the cost of their healthcare and food.
“The money provided by the residents would be used for the food and healthcare of the animals they adopt. All payments related to animal adoption would be tax-free under Section 80G of Income Tax Act. However, adoption would not confer any right to the residents over the animals, including right to handle, play or touch the animals inside the enclosure or change their dietary habits. A signboard bearing the name of the person or a company’s logo would be put up at the animal enclosure. Once we get the approval, we would start distributing pamphlets, advertising details of the scheme,” added the zoo director. ”
Though you won’t be allowed to play with your “adopted” friends, you would be treated as special guests. You can also expect incentives in the form of certificates, gifts, special invitation to programmes, free entry tickets and children’s park or a ride on the toy train. Under the proposed scheme, individuals or families can adopt animals for a minimum of one, two or six months to a maximum of one year. Commercial firms can adopt for a minimum of one to a maximum of five years. Smaller animals like rabbits would have to be adopted in groups. “For special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, one can also adopt the entire zoo, barring the ones already adopted, for an entire day for Rs 25,000,” said Kumar.
