(a) whether the Government has any proposal to review the entry fee for wildlife sanctuaries and zoos;
(b) if so, whether the Government intended to raise the entry fee;
(c) whether any guidelines has been issued to the States for better maintenance of various wildlife sanctuaries and zoos in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government is considering development of a wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan in future and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a)& (b)Management of the Wildlife Sanctuaries and zoos is the mandate of the concerned state governments/respective zoo operators and hence the decision of entry fee for wildlife sanctuaries and zoos is the prerogative of the concerned authorities. No direction has been issued from the Central Government to States to increase entry fee for zoos/wildlife sanctuaries.
(c) The Ministry provides financial assistance to State/UT Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ for better management of wildlife sanctuaries as per the guidelines of the scheme.
With respect to zoos, the Central Zoo Authority has issued following guidelines for better maintenance of zoos:
i. Guidelines for facilitating effective and scientific management of zoos in India.
ii. Guidelines for establishment of new zoos.
iii. Guidelines for exchange or transfer of animals between zoos.
iv. Guidelines for marking of animals and birds.
v. Guidelines on minimum dimension of enclosure of housing of animals of different species in zoos.
vi. Guidelines on use of innovative exhibit design and barriers design for holding and display of animals and birds.
vii. Guidelines for developing mechanism for Mobilizing Financial Support for Supplementing Management of Zoos.
viii. Guidelines for establishing safari parks in the existing zoos.
ix. Guidelines for transport of captive wild animals.
x. Guidelines for release of zoos animals into the wild.
xi. Guidelines for management and maintenance of elephants in circuses.
xii. Guidelines for utilization of volunteers in zoo management in India.
xiii. Recommended guidelines during stakeholders meetings on “Elephants upkeep in zoos”.
xiv. Procedure and process for acquiring animals from zoos abroad.
Besides, the Central Zoo Authority has stipulated standards/ norms under Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009 for development and planning, housing and animals enclosures, upkeep and healthcare, veterinary care and infrastructure etc. in the zoos for better management of captive wild animals.
(d) Presently there is no proposal/report from the Government of Rajasthan for development wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan in future.
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