BMC plans 110-acre extension of Byculla zoo in Aarey Colony

MUMBAI: Bringing Humboldt penguins to Byculla zoo is a significant but small part of the BMC’s ambitious zoological plans for the city. Not only is the Byculla zoo being refurbished, making place for more mammal, reptile and bird species, but also there are plans for obtaining land in Aarey Colony for a 110-acre extension of the zoo.
The BMC recently sent a proposal to the state government, seeking the land, which is at present in possession of the forest department.A source said the plan has been drawn up to let the suburbs have a zoo as well, and it includes providing a safari experience on 25 acres.
“We had a meeting with government officials for transferring the land to us. Big animals like the giraffe will be kept there. The process will take a couple of months to complete,” said additional municipal commissioner (gardens and zoo) SVR Srinivas.
The arrival of the penguins is the second phase of Byculla zoo’s revamp. In the third phase, more animals will be brought. New mammals would include lions, tigers, sloth bears, leopards, swamp deer, zebras, jaguars, wolves, bison, otters, mouse-deer, spotted deer, wild boars, blackbucks and porcupines; reptiles would include gharials. As for birds, emus would be added to the aviary.
The makeover for the 150-year old Byculla zoo, also known as Veermata Jijabai Bhonsle Udyan, and Rani Baug, was planned in 2006, but ran into controversy, either relating to its heritage status or on the issue of trees being cut. The Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee had objected to the revamp proposal twice as the municipal corporation was not sure whether the botanical garden in the zoo would be left untouched. The plan cleared the hurdles gradually and is now ready for implementation.
The original plan included features like a swank restaurant right next to the enclosure for cheetahs, separated by a glass wall, and separate sections for the animals, based on their continents of origin, mainly Asia, Africa and Australia, skywalks in parts of the zoo, and an underground parking facility. Most of the features were omitted in the new plan, prepared in 2011, and its expenditure brought down from Rs 470 crore to Rs 150 crore. The final approval, from the Central Zoo Authority, came in December 2012.
The first phase of the zoo’s revamp has been completed. The work comprised restoration of heritage structures like statues,
the band stand, the clock tower and drinking fountains, and construction of an administration block, animal hospital and exploration
centre. Also, internal roads have been laid, the main road repaired, and fencing completed.
A member of the Plants and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said that in developing the zoo and its suburban extension, the BMC should be careful about reproducing the habitat of the animals.