Financial shot in arm for zoos

MYSORE: The 120th Administrative Board Meeting of the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) held in the city on Wednesday gave approval to various developmental activities worth more than Rs 1.15 crore planned in Bannerghatta National Park, Sri Chamarejendra Zoological Gardens and others besides strengthening workforce.Accordingly, in view of the elephants straying into the villages located on the fringes of Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) and to ensure that pachyderms don’t obstruct the Safari inside the park, the security personnel will be increased to 36 from the present 18.Approval was given to recruit 10 staff on contractual basis for posts such as Assistant Horticulture Officer, Education Officer and Assistant Curator.ZAK chairman M Nanjundaswamy conceded that BNP is severely understaffed with only six persons.DETAILS OF GRANTS FOR THE ZOOS■ BNP to get new mini bus for safari costing Rs 20 lakh, tractor tanker at Rs 8.50 lakh to refill cement containers inside the park to quench thirst of wild animals. Park to also get a Bolero jeep for rounds and Rs 30 lakh for contructing 20 bird enclosures■ Approval given for Rs 15 lakh grant for mini safari bus, solar lights and repair of animal enclosures in Tyavarekoppa tiger reserve, Shimoga district■ Approval granted for constructing 2-lakh litre overhead water tank in Mysore Zoo at a cost of Rs 35 lakh■ Restrictions on filming of documentaries and news features inside Karanji Lake Nature Park, Mysore, lifted■ Master plan of new zoo proposed to come up in Kamalapura, Bellary district - named after former PM A B Vajpayee - to be sent to Central Zoo Authority for approval.Zoo’s estimate was brought down to Rs 35 crore from earlier Rs 68 crore during a department meeting held last month.