Darjeeling zoo best in country, Alipore ranks fourth on national list

KOLKATA/DARJEELING: Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, popularly known as Darjeeling zoo, has ranked first among all zoos in the cou-ntry across all categories while Alipore Zoological Gardens in Kolkata is fourth on the overall list.

The Alipore zoo has also ranked second in the medium category while another zoo from the state, Jhargram or Jangalmahal zoo, is fourth in the same category.
The list was released by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) at a meeting of the national zoo directors in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. Sixteen large zoos and 23 medium ones were evaluated in the first phase with five being rated 'very good', 17 'good', 13 'fair' and four 'requires substantial improvement', an official said. Both Darjeeling and Alipore zoos have got 'very good' ratings.
Located at a height of 2,000 metres, the Darjeeling zoo has set an example in successful captive breeding of animals. Its conservation breeding programme for red pandas is aimed at augmenting the pop-ulation of the endangered mammal in the wild. It is also the only specialized zoo in the country for conservation breeding of snow leopard and Tibetan wolf.
'Modernization plan for zoos'
Darjeeling zoo director Basavaraj S Holeyachi said the top rating was a matter of pride for not only the zoo but the entire Hills and would give them the impetus to take up more successful projects. "It is the fruit of the hard work of all dedicated zoo employees. It's a great motivation," he said.
State forest minister Jyotipriya Mullick said: "It's a great achievement for us. Under CM Mamata Banerjee's guidance, the forest department has taken up a number of modernization plans for both Alipore and Darjeeling zoos. We will focus more on conservation breeding and upgrade visitors' amenities at both the zoos."
According to a senior official of the West Bengal Zoo Authority, the CZA rating is based on at least 17-18 criteria. "These include animal health, zoo training, zoo outreach, visitor facility, animal treatment, funds position, natural ambience in the enclosures and action taken based on last inspection. The CZA inspection in the state was conducted in 2021 and 2022 and the visit by CZA officials lasted for at least three to four days at each zoo," added the official. The evaluation also focused on conservation breeding and availability of rescue and rehabilitation facility among others.
Among the other zoos that have fared well are the Arignar Anna Zoological Park near Chennai and Nawab Wajed Ali Shah Zoological Garden in Lucknow. In the large category, Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Tamil Nadu), Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Karnataka) and Sakkarbaug Zoological Park (Gujarat) have secured 'very good' ranking. In the medium zoo category, apart from the two Bengal zoos, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in Tamil Nadu has secured 'good' ranking.