Environment and forest minister Tej Pratap on Friday said there would not be any restriction on morning walks at Patna zoo, despite an ultimatum recently given by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to de-recognise the zoo if jogging is not stopped.

Sources claimed that a pass system would be introduced soon at the zoo, under which joggers would also be required to get the passes issued in their name. A website for Patna zoo - www.zoopatna.com - was also launched, which would soon facilitate online ticket and pass- issuance system for the zoo.

The website already has a section on online issuance of ticket and passes but actual booking services has still not started. As per the website, the proposed charges for monthly pass are Rs 250 and Rs 1,400 for one and six months, respectively and Rs 2,500 for yearly pass. Speaking on the issue of morning walks at the zoo, Tej said: "Morning walks will not be stopped." He, however, did not say anything on being asked about the warning from CZA over de-recognising the zoo in case jogs are not stopped.

On April 18 and 19, D.N. Singh, member secretary in CZA, gave an ultimatum to the state government to stop jogging inside the zoo with immediate effect otherwise its recognition would be withdrawn. The withdrawal of recognition to the zoo would result in shutting down the zoo for visitors.

The CZA, in repeated communiqué to the state government since 2006, has pointed out that no other zoo in the country allows morning walkers. It has suggested that Patna zoo be kept free of morning walkers.

Sources claimed that the move to introduce pass system is an indirect way to counter the directive of prohibiting morning walks. Principal chief conservator of forest (development) D.K. Shukla later sent a letter to the chief minister's office to open the zoo from 6am in place of 8am and allow entry of joggers only upon purchase of tickets or issuance of passes.

"By opening the zoo early in the morning and allowing everyone to enter with tickets or passes, the zoo authorities are virtually bypassing the CZA's directive of prohibiting joggers. The zoo authorities would just tell CZA that no free walks are being allowed and only ticketed visitors enter the zoo," said a Patna-based wildlife expert.

Many people go for regular walks at the zoo.

Sources claimed that chief minister Nitish Kumar recently agreed to completely stop morning walks at the zoo but officials in the chief minister's office, who are frequent joggers at zoo, have kept the matter hanging in balance. A file from environment and forest department in this regard is pending at the chief minister's office for a final approval.

The passes proposed to be issued at Patna zoo would be radio frequency identification cards with barcodes. The passes will be scanned through new electronic gates with radio-frequency readers to be installed at the entrance gates. Ten such electronic gates - five each at the two entrances - are proposed to be installed within a few weeks. All gates will be connected with a server to be installed at the zoo director's office.

In 2011, then deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi had announced a pass system it but it could not be implemented because of protests from people.