I ACCOMPANIED my family a few days ago on a visit to the Bahawalpur zoo. I was saddened to see the miserable conditions in which these poor animals were kept.

They were suffering from heat, and an extremely foul smell emanated from their cages. It seemed that they had not been cleaned for a long time. At some enclosures the stench was so overpowering that the visitors could not bear it even for a few seconds. The ponds for ducks and pelicans were filthy as if they had not been cleaned for weeks.

There were no proper arrangements for visitors to sit and relax. There was litter everywhere, and even the ponds were full of plastic bags.

The shops selling snacks, soft drinks, knickknacks and souvenirs were charging exorbitant prices.

Zoos and public parks are the lungs of urban society. They are meant to provide recreation and relief to citizens. The authorities should ensure that all public places are kept clean, safe and secure.

Mian Arif Ghunyo

Ghotki

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2017