Shimla’s Kangra Zoo: Overhead high-tension electric wires, small water catchment among other hurdles, says RTI

A communication from CZA’s Member Secretary Sanjay Kumar Shukla to the PCCF (Wildlife) stated, “Two existing overhead electric lines are passing through the middle of the proposed site and are proposed to be shifted. This should either be done, or the norms issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) regarding placement of animal enclosures must be followed. An underground tunnel is proposed for the monorail under the National Highway. The placement of this tunnel is in a low-altitude catchment area, which may adversely affect monorail operations in the zoo during the monsoon season.”

The communication further stated, “The proposal developed seems like a mix of various elements typically found in global zoo scenarios. The priority should be to create a natural habitat for animals. Slope analysis drawings superimposed with the layout plan should be submitted for better clarity, and a reconnaissance survey should be carried out. The repetition of animals in different zones should be reconsidered. Issues arising due to the sheath rock should be addressed.”

The communication, along with a detailed list of 15 points raised by the Expert Group, was part of the documents obtained through the RTI.

Interestingly, the CZA also asked the Himachal Pradesh PCCF (Wildlife) to rectify the designation of the Zoo Operator, which was incorrectly mentioned as the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division, Hamirpur. As per Rule 2(m)(III) of the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009, “In the case of a zoo owned or controlled by the Central Government, State Government, Union Territory Administration, or any Trust or Society funded by these entities, the Secretary of the concerned Department or the Union Territory Administration shall be deemed the Zoo Operator.”

Reginald Royston A., Member Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Zoo Conservation & Breeding Society, had informed The Indian Express a revised plan, including modifications to the enclosures, monorail, and highway route was submitted to the CZA in May 2024. “The revised plan addresses CZA’s concerns. We expect discussions on this in their upcoming meeting,” he said.

On March 6, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone for the park in Dehra, the Assembly constituency of his wife Kamlesh Thakur.

The RTI reply also revealed that the state government hired two Gurugaon-based firms — M/s Jain and Associates and M/s Brick by Brick — for Rs 7.96 crore to provide consultancy services, prepare the design-cum-DPR Master Plan, and carry out project monitoring and supervision for establishing the zoo.