Byculla Zoo To Get A New Biodiversity Facility

According to a new report, the BMC is planning a new biodiversity facility in the Interpretation Centre at Byculla zoo. This project is estimated to cost the civic body around Rs 7 crore. Not only is this zoo located in the centre of the city, but it also has a Grade II heritage tag, making it a popular place for tourists as well as locals.

A civic official elaborated on the plans they are undertaking for the new premises. “There are plans to have a video wall, an education gallery and also signage giving out information about the city's rich biodiversity, which sometimes goes unnoticed,” the official said. It is said that the authorities will display an exhibition at the 11th World Wilderness Congress which will be held in Jaipur between March 19 and 27. After the display at this event, the exhibits will be brought back to the Interpretation Centre as planned.

Also Read: These Exotic Animals Are Now Making Their Way To Byculla Zoo

The appointment of Highway Constructions as the contractor for this new biodiversity facility is raising some eyebrows, though. This contractor was previously hired for the construction of an enclosure for Humboldt penguins at the zoo. However, it was later discovered that the firm had lied about having a joint-venture with a company in the field of aquatic life support systems. The BMC later ordered the firm to pay Rs 1.4 crore as penalty for lying about its credentials in the field.

Following this controversy, the same contractor was appointed by the authorities again in August 2019 for the construction of 10 animal enclosures at the zoo at an estimated cost of Rs 59 crore. The BMC defended itself saying that the contractor was never blacklisted and hence no action was taken barring the aforementioned fine.

On Republic Day this year, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated a 13-metre long aviary at the Byculla Zoo giving India its first-ever walk-through aviary. The zoo has already seen the addition of tigers, while the authorities have also built enclosures for leopards, foxes, hyenas, pond turtles, and other animals.