Ex-Situ updates (March 2012) - Ministry of Environment and Forests

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FROM THE DESK OF
MEMBER SECRETARY
The Government of India has always recognized the importance of ex-situ
wildlife conservation, which has resulted in the establishment of many
modern zoos in major Indian cities after independence. The Central Zoo
Authority was established in 1992 to oversee the functioning of zoos in
the country and to provide them with technical and other assistance for
their improvement. Accordingly, the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992 was
formulated to fix standards and norms for scientific management of zoos.
The National Zoo Policy, 1998 gives clear directions for the functioning of
zoos. It states that the main objective of zoos shall be to complement and
strengthen the national efforts in the conservation of rich biodiversity of
the country. To play the assigned role, the zoos need to have physically,
genetically and behaviorally healthy and self-sustaining populations of
desirable wild animal species. This is important not only for display but
also as insurance against future exigencies and release/ introduction/
reintroduction operations in the wild, if required. The Central Zoo Authority
is working in this direction. The amended Recognition of Zoo Rules,
2009 spells out the role of Central Zoo Authority more as a facilitator than
as a regulator.
ex-situ updates is an endeavor of Central Zoo Authority to provide current
information on the development of zoos, master planning, conservation
breeding, research programmes, education activities etc. The first issue
of the quarterly newsletter ex-situ updates being published by Central Zoo
Authority aims to provide updates to zoo managers and those involved in
zoo related activities on the initiatives taken in pursuance of the National
Zoo Policy, 1998, Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009 and decisions taken
from time to time in various Committees and Expert Groups.
I hope this endeavour to publish a quarterly newsletter (ex-situ updates)
will provide updates on happenings in zoos in India and abroad and will
help in managing existing zoos better and facilitate the identification
and formulation of new, innovative activities for long-term development of
zoos in the country in future.
B. S. BONAL
Policy, Rules and Guidelines
of Central Zoo Authority
1. National Zoo Policy, 1998
2. Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009
3. Guidelines for the scientific
management of zoos in India
a) Guidelines for grant of approval
for establishment of New Zoos
b) Guidelines for facilitating
effective and scientific
mangement of Zoos in India
c) Guidelines for master plans
for zoos
d) Guidelines for prescribing
minimium size of feeding/
retiring cubicles and outdoor
enclosures
e) Guidelines for use of
innovative exhibit design and
barriers
f) Guidelines for exchange or
transfer of animals between
zoos
g) Guidelines for transport of
captive animals
h) Guidelines for marking of
animals and birds
4. Guidelines for conservation
breeding programmes
5. Protocol on transportation of wild
animals
6. Guidelines on minimum
dimension of enclosures for
housing exotic animals of
different species in India.