Patna: Middle-level zoo officers of the country have charted out a document - Vision 2030 - that talks of steps needed for overall improvement in the condition of zoos.
The document was drafted on Thursday, the concluding day of the four-day training programme of middle-level zoo officials here. Central Zoo Authority (CZA) organised the training programme in which participants from 30 zoos, including Lucknow, Mysore, Mumbai, Bangalore, Gangtok and Itanagar, took part. The training programme dwelt on many topics, among them captive animal health care in zoos, use of advanced software for record-keeping and protocol and procedure for conserving breeding programme of endangered species in zoos.
One of the suggestions in the draft document was provision of a platform using which zoos could make information accessible to all other zoos. It also talked of introducing online reporting system to ensure transparency in zoos' functioning. The draft laid special emphasis on sharing information about conservation breeding and formulation of guidelines for better categorisation on the basis of conservation breeding.
The draft document also spoke of ushering in a system of conservation education for zoo staff, creation of a research wing, deputation of required manpower including posting of biologists, zoologists and researchers in zoos, use of modern technology for making zoos friendlier for animals etc.
"The draft document would come up for discussion at the four-day training programme of zoo directors (December 18-21) at Mysore zoo," Patna zoo director Kamaljeet Singh, who will attend the Mysore event, told The Telegraph.
Director (ecology and environment) in the state environment and forest department Lalan Singh addressed participants at the valedictory function and underlined the need for steps to mobilise funds for various development works. He said such initiatives would supplement the support given by the government and CZA for development of zoos. He also emphasised on use of modern technology for the welfare of animals kept in captivity.
