Tiger enclosures in zoos to have alarm system

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUPATI, DEC. 7. After the `Sakhi' skinning incident in the capital, the State Government is taking all precautionary measures to enhance security measures in the zoological parks in the State, starting with the ones in Hyderabad, Vizag and Tirupati, said the Minister for Forests and Environment, Mr.Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, at a press conference here on Thursday.

According to him, the tiger enclosures in the safaris would be fitted with `automatic alarm systems', which would give a loud ringing sound the moment an intruder touched the enclosures. Further, the main entrance to the zoos would be `electronically opened', with the punching of the ticket issued in the counter. This system would be introduced to have a vigil over the persons entering the park and would cost Rs.2.62 crores, for which tenders would be called for shortly, he added.

Supplementing this move, the height of the compound walls of zoo parks in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati would be raised and patrolling on the roads near the zoo would be beefed up. This means that the zoo parks would come under close surveillance, especially during nights, Mr.Patrudu said. For this, retired military officers would be taken on contract basis to work throughout a day in three shifts.

Also, zoo advisory committees would be formed for every zoo which would conduct monthly review meetings on the zoo's developmental activities. He admitted that the zoo lands in Hyderabad and Vizag had been encroached upon to some extent and added that steps would be taken to remove the structures.

The Forest Minister also urged industrialists and NGOs to come forward to `adopt' animals in the zoo parks. `All one has to do is to bear the cost incurred on feeding an animal for an year', he said adding that he would try to get 100 p.c. tax exemption for donations made to zoos.

On the piling up of valuable red sanders in the forest godowns, the Minister said that he would go for open tenders shortly, unlike last time, when global tenders were called for, for which only a Japanese firm responded.

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Section  : Southern States
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