Journalism of Courage
The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, popularly known as Katraj Zoo, reported a considerable hike in earnings in 2015-16, authorities said. It collected a revenue of nearly Rs 3.38 crore, almost 50 per cent more than 2014-2015, which was around Rs 2.27 crore. Apart from this, Rs 29 lakh was earned by the zoo from visitors who hired battery-operated vehicles to take a tour of the zoo.
“Last year, around 17.37 lakh visitors had visited the zoo. This year, it went up to 18.47 lakh. This has caused a tremendous rise in the zoo’s revenue. We have also increased the entry fee and that too contributed to the rise,” said Rajkumar Jadhav, zoo director.
Among the visitors were nearly one lakh students from both government and private schools. More than 3,000 foreign nationals also visited the zoo this year. “Though there was a hike in the zoo’s entry fee this year, we saw a hike in the number of visitors,” Jadhav said, adding while last year, the number of visitors in 2014-2015 was 17.37 lakh, this year, it touched to 18.47 lakh.
Besides, the zoo also earned substantial revenue through fees collected from visitors for carrying cameras and shooting videos at the zoo (nearly Rs 2 lakh). “The reason could be that the number of amateur photographers are increasing in the city,” Jadhav added.
Asiatic lions to be introduced
The Katraj Zoo would soon be getting a pair of Asiatic lions for visitors from Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagarh in Gujarat. The process for transfer of the pair of lions to Katraj Zoo has been completed and the actual transfer is likely to take place next month.
According to the zoo administration, two new enclosures would be constructed on the zoo premises. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has already given a green signal to the design and structure of these enclosures which would house the new pair.
“The preparations for receiving the big cats are complete. We are waiting for them to be dispatched from Junagarh. However, these lions would not be put for display right away. Once the trenches of the enclosure are completely finished, only then would we be able to open them for public viewing,” said Jadhav.
