BAHAWALPUR: The divisional administration is mulling over a decision to take over administrative control of the local zoo from the Punjab Wildlife Department.

The institution it is learnt is on the verge of destruction owing to the apathy and negligence of the wildlife department and its officials. The zoo seems to have lost its significance and, subsequently, visitors.

According to zoo officials, previously, a number of animals and birds were shifted from here to other zoos and parks by the Punjab wildlife director general under an “exchange programme”, but the local zoo did not get anything in return. Resultantly, the zoo got deprived of animals and birds and most visitors, including a large number of women and children, stopped visiting.

During the last year, former district and sessions judge Rashid Qamar on a complaint had taken notice of the shifting of animals, but the department did not provide the required animals. The judge had summoned the then wildlife director general, and on his behalf the department’s officials had assured the court the required number of animals and birds at the zoo would be provided, but nothing happened.

Several animals, birds shifted to other zoos, not replaced

Moreover, due to the negligence of the zoo administration, recently four lion cubs died. Besides, the zoo has been without an elephant for over 10 years, which was a main attraction for visiting children.

The zoo established by the late Nawab of Bahawalpur about a century ago was provided with a pair of elephants but after they died due to old age, the wildlife department failed to replace them as funds allocated for the purpose lapsed twice due to negligence of the wildlife department. Dawn learnt that now the department has moved a new summary for allocation of funds for the purpose.

There were also complaints of under-feeding of animals with the result that most of the animals in captivity appeared weak and lean. In addition, there were also complaints by the zoo’s booking office of over-charging, particularly on Eid and other festivals, by the contractor with the connivance of the department officials. The administration took notice a few times and conducted raids in which contractors’ men were fined and jailed, but the complaints were never addressed permanently.

Divisional Commissioner Saqib Zafar told Dawn on Wednesday that a takeover of administrative control from the wildlife department was being deliberated and there was a plan to form a society that would look after the zoo’s administration to bring about healthy changes and make it an attraction once again.

He also shared that the zoo’s front gate was being beautified and made attractive. For this purpose, the Bahawalpur Development Authority has been entrusted with installing models of animals, including elephant, lion, zebra, deer and others.

District Coordination Officer Imran Sikandar Baloch told Dawn restoration of the damaged seven gates of the old walled city was in progress and was expected to be completed in a couple of months. He said various tiles and bricks were being considered for being fixed on these gates, included some from India.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2015