Aurangabad: In the wake of the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) derecognizing the zoo at Sidharth Garden that is run by the civic administration, citizens and experts have demanded that AMC wake from its slumber and relocate the zoo to the proposed 125 acres of land in Mitmita on a priority basis.A year after CZAI’s recommendation to relocate the zoo to a new location given the lack of space for housing different species in the existing facility, Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had decided to shift the zoo to Mitmita in 2014.The zoo, which is likely to face closure in the wake of CZAI’s stand, is the only zoo in Marathwada established in 1985. TOI has carried several reports highlighting how the zoo at the existing location was a ‘torture place’ for many birds and animals.Animal rights activist Amruta Daulatabadkar alleged that vested interests marred the relocation process. “The zoo has become a hotbed for corrupt and unethical practices for personal gains at the cost of birds and animals. The relocation process, which should have been completed in the last four years, is still on paper and only goes on to show the apathy of the authorities,” she said.B S Naikwade, who was holding charge of the zoo, had been suspended twice for alleged negligence by virtue of the directives from municipal commissioner Nipun Vinayak.Blaming the civic body for reducing the zoo to a “torture place” for animals, environmentalist Kishor Pathak said he expected little from AMC in the future as well with regard to proper upkeep of animals, birds and reptiles in the zoo. “Basic facilities such as water, sanitation and waste management have gone for a toss in the city. When the elected representatives are least bothered about human lives, how can we expect them to ensure the wellbeing of animals in the zoo?” questioned Pathak.Animal right activists also slammed mayor Nandkumar Ghodele for his statement that the de-recognition was carried out by certain elements in CZAI due to a “personal grudge” against a section of civic officials.As reported by TOI, small enclosures, improper flooring , lack of creepers and vegetation around cages and absence of technical staff are some of the key issues plaguing the zoo. Despite repeated reminders from CZAI, civic authorities failed to ensure the upkeep of the animals at the zoo which adds nearly Rs 2.5 crore in AMC’s coffers every year.When contacted, Ghodele said on Sunday that all formalities related to relocation of the zoo would be completed expeditiously. “We will try appointing a project management consultancy for relocation preferably in a week. We had faced some issues while acquiring the land at Mitmita but that has now been addressed. Relocation of the zoo has become one of our top priorities,” he said adding that the ministry of environment and forests would be requested to soften its stand of derecognition till the zoo is shifted to its new loaction.The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court had initiated a suo motu PIL by taking note of a TOI report dated August 25, 2017 which highlighted how a mother elephant and her adult calf were put up in a cramped place at the zoo which is a gross violation of the rules. After a couple of hearings in the case, the elephants were shifted on December 10, 2017.

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