Karnataka - Mysore

Food court to be opened soon at Mysore zoo

THE HINDU PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Interesting: Sculptures of birds at the food court in Mysore zoo. PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

MYSORE: An aesthetically built food court is all set to be opened at the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, popularly known as Mysore zoo, to prevent visitors from bringing food inside the zoo.

Despite the zoo premises being a “plastic-free zone”, visitors bring food in plastic bags and containers inside the zoo.

To overcome this, the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), with the support of a private cellular service provider, Airtel, has constructed an aesthetic food court with seating arrangements at the zoo entrance near the giraffe enclosure.

“The problem of plastic has been successfully controlled inside the zoo. But some visitors carry food brought in plastic bags inside the zoo and do not throw them in the dustbins. Stray birds and monkeys feed on the leftovers and sometimes carry plastic bags into the open animal enclosures. This will harm the wild animals if they consume it,” zoo officials said.

Interesting sculptures, including those of sarang cranes, have been put up at the food court.

The seating arrangements have been built in the shape of fish, boats and flowers, among others. The food court can accommodate 200 to 250 people.

Sources told The Hindu that the zoo was planning to build cabinets so visitors could keep their food there. Once this facility was available, the food court would be opened to visitors.

Thereafter, visitors would not be allowed to carry food beyond the court, the sources added.

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