In a response to RTI query it has been revealed that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has spent INR 8.25 crore on construction of a lion enclosure, INR 7.15 crore on a wolf enclosure at Byculla zoo, and INR 3.82 crore on an otter enclosure.
Activists have raised questions, calling it 'lavish' spending as the enclosures are empty for the last four years and none of these animals has been procured yet.
On the other hand, a BMC official said it wasn't the "right way" to look at such expenditure as they plan to procure the animals.
An activist stated that it would have been a judicious move to construct these enclosures once it was confirmed that the animals would be procured. Meanwhile, another activist said BMC's decision to invest heavily in enclosures without a clear plan to acquire the animals is clearly an inappropriate use of public funds.
Clarifying further, civic official stated that it's a one-time cost and after that there is no maintenance cost as there is no rusting, no painting and still these exhibits look brand new.
The lion procurement proposal got caught up due new guidelines by the Animal Husbandry Ministry so they could not bring zebra to be given in exchange. BMC is trying hard to bring new animals.
The reply to the RTI query also says that INR 29 crore has been spent on maintenance of Humboldt penguins procured in October 2016.
A BMC official said the expenditure in 2019 compared to current prices of stainless steel, concrete and other material was almost half.
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