Closed since 2016, Pune’s Bahinabai Chaudhary Zoo still under renovation, likely to be opened next year

The officer said the new plan will have dedicated sections for snakes, turtles, birds, crocodiles, and gharial based on Central Zoo Authority guidelines and will include beautification and landscaping work both from within and outside the zoo.

Shubham Pande, president of World for Nature NGO, slammed the government’s inefficiency for the prolonged delay.

“Setting up cages, capacity building, and landscaping of a zoo facility of just seven acres should not take more than two years, but it has been around a decade now since the facility is closed. I believe that the ineffective governmental oversight over private contractors has cost crores of taxpayers’ money. In this process, even the animals have suffered neglect, causing illness and eventual mortality,” Pande pointed out.

Rs 8.61 lakh approved for procuring mice

Meanwhile, Rs 8.61 lakh has been recently approved for procuring mice to feed the snakes of the zoo, amid rising criticism from residents and wildlife enthusiasts highlighting escalating costs and prolonged delays.

“The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) veterinary department had floated a tender for the supply of white mice for the snakes in Bahinabai Choudhary Zoo. The lowest bid of Rs 159 per mouse was accepted from Sam Enterprises, with a cost of over Rs 8.61 lakh to be supplied for the next two years. PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh has approved the tender through the standing committee. Mice procurement has been a routine exercise continuing for many years. Moreover, the outlay has been reduced from Rs 167 per mouse previously,” said Sandeep Khot, Deputy Municipal Commissioner.

“Every week, we procure 100 white mice for 52 snakes in the zoo. We have 8 Oriental rat snakes of bigger size that consume the maximum share. Additionally, we have birds and turtles for which vegetables are supplied from outside. And 5 kg of chicken is needed for crocodiles every week,” said Yogesh Kanjawane, animal keeper at Bahinabai Chaudhary Zoo.

“Previously, there was a mice breeding facility inside the zoo. I believe that if a dedicated staff is appointed to see into this, it would be a cost-effective option than outsourcing, as mice multiply faster,” said Shubham Pande.

PCMC established the Bahinabai Chaudhary Snake Park and Zoological Museum in 1989 on seven acres of Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) land in Chinchwad. Ever since its renovation began in May 2016, Rs 20 crore has been spent on its beautification in two phases.

Shubham Kurale is an intern with The Indian Express