New helmsman has new priorities for Delhi Zoo

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New helmsman has new priorities for Delhi Zoo

 

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

 

 

Link: http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/20/stories/2005092007470200.htm

 

NEW DELHI: The National Zoological Park - better known as Delhi Zoo -

- has a new head, D. N. Singh. Having taken charge exactly a month

ago, he has chalked out a blueprint to put the zoo among the very

best in the country.

 

Spelling out his priorities on Monday, Mr. Singh said he wanted to

offer visitors special facilities that would make a trip to the zoo

an educational and entertaining experience.

 

Short trip

 

 

" After taking charge, I have often taken short trip as a visitor to

the zoo to understand the problems that the common man faces when he

is here. We have found that most people find that there aren't

enough signs directing them about the route to take once inside the

premises. Also, the 6-kilometre trip around the various enclosures

completely tires out many. Lack of proper rest areas inside the zoo

adds to the problem,'' said the new Director.

 

" Also visitors using the battery-operated vehicles in the zoo are

being exploited, with the operators often over-charging them for the

trip and not stopping at the various enclosures, which is mandatory.

All that is going to change from now on,'' asserted Mr. Singh,

adding that he plans to become stricter and more transparent to

enhance the functioning of the zoo.

 

" You have to understand that visitors here come from all socio-

economic groups and we have to maintain a balanced outlook to reach

out to all and to be useful to every visitor who comes here. While

we are ready with the reptile house and would be setting up improved

boards for the visitors providing them a more `well-routed' zoo

complex with easy-to-use maps, we are happy with the health and

general condition of the animals at the facility. Talks are also

under way to improve the drinking water and toilets facilities

offered to the visitors. Also `rest points' in the form of green

lawns will be provided at regular intervals to help visitors,'' said

Mr. Singh.

 

Programme

 

 

Carrying on with the zoo programme of keeping a healthy group of

animals, Mr. Singh, who has been in the field for the past 17 years

and has worked in Arunachal Pradesh and Lakshadweep before coming to

Delhi, said: " I come to Delhi Zoo with hands-on experience from the

toughest terrains of the country and I hope I am able to maintain

and improve the standards and facilities offered here. As is the

tradition here we will be in close touch with various zoos across

the country for exchange programmes and will be constantly working

towards keeping a healthy stock of animals for the visitors.''