TN pushes back on Hindi signage mandate

Chennai: The Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) has directed zoos across the country to install signboards in Hindi and English, apart from the respective regional language. This has triggered resistance from Tamil Nadu wildlife officials who say the order runs contrary to the state's two-language policy.The circular, issued following the first meeting of the reconstituted Hindi Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Jan 20, directed all zoos to incorporate Hindi and English "on all existing and new signages, directional boards, animal enclosures, visitor information systems, and other display materials."Park managers were also required to photograph installed boards and submit images to the CZAI as compliance proof.The directive was triggered after non-official committee members flagged that forest and zoo signboards in South India were displayed only in regional languages, with no Hindi. The committee recommended that Hindi be added alongside regional languages and English to improve accessibility for visitors.The order has left Tamil Nadu wildlife officials scrambling. The date of dispatch was not specified in the circular, and officials say they have received no clarity on the deadline or the scope of changes required.A senior wildlife official pushed back sharply on the directive. "The state policy recognizes only two languages. The Centre cannot impose the use or display of a third language, whether in zoological parks or elsewhere," the official told this correspondent.Officials say they are awaiting further guidance before taking any action.