73 small zoos fail to meet standards, closed down

Sixty-six mini zoos and seven small zoos in different states have been closed down because they did not fulfil the prescribed standards.

Disclosing this, Environment and Forests Minister Saifuddin Soz said on Tuesday he would ask the state governments not to start new zoos unless ''sustained resources'' could be ensured.

The minister expressed concern about the situation in the National Zoological Park in Delhi, and asked the Central Zoo Authority to help in its development in a planned manner.

As for the relocation of animals in the closed zoos, a recent CZA meeting decided that five rescue centres should be established with the state governments's help. Professor Soz said the entire cost of developing and maintaining these centres would be borne by the CZA.

UNI