Hyderabad: Zoos and parks should adopt more carbon-neutral practices and take up new initiatives like glass enclosures for tigers, wildlife experience centres, environmental education centres and procure exotic animals to enhance zoo collections, said minister for forests Konda Surekha.
She was addressing the 13th governing body meeting of the Zoos and Parks Authority of Telangana (Zapat), held at Secretariat in Hyderabad on Friday.
Surekha, who is also chairperson of Zapat, virtually inaugurated several new initiatives at the Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad. These included the integrated FAStag parking facility, a rhino sculpture made from scrap metal, the newly procured wildlife radiology facility, the Zoopedia mobile app and an upgraded zoo website.
Additionally, brochures, a diary and a coffee table book were unveiled.
Zoos director Dr Sunil S. Hiremath made a presentation on the developmental works carried out under Zapat. Minister Surekha and other members made several suggestions to make the zoos and parks more self-sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of being more proactive in animal exchange programs, working with international stakeholders and focusing on skill enhancement in zoo management. The chairman also highlighted the need to attract more CSR funds and promote adoption programs by various institutions and individuals.
