Imphal, December 18: The Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroishemba is today in a pitiable condition thanks to long years of neglect and apathy with its wall developing cracks at many points and crumbling even at some parts.

The cages are also in no better shape with many bearing tell-tale signs of neglect.

A number of cages have been eaten away by rust and the ravages of time.

When The Sangai Express contacted DFO Dr L Puni, who is in charge of the Zoological garden, he said that the Central Zoo Authority released a sum of Rs 7.5 lakhs for wall maintenance last year.

The amount has been utilized to repair portions of the crumbling wall, he said adding that since the State Government failed to release its matching share, which is 50 percent of the amount sanctioned by the Centre, the wall could not be repaired satisfactorily.

Construction of the Animal Feed Godown started under a Central sponsorship scheme but since the State Government failed to release its matching share the construction could not be completed, he added.

Of the Rs 2.5 lakhs earmarked for setting up an intensive care unit at the zoo, the Centre had released 50 per cent of the total amount.

However the State Government failed to release the said amount on time and the same has been accounted in the State Account.

The amount is a 100 percent Central grant.

Even though the Centre had released Rs 30 lakhs for constructing a fencing around the 2nd Sangai Home, the State Government has not released the sum till date, as a result, no work has been taken up, he added.

The zoo houses over 420 species of animals including 120 species of birds.

Locals living near the zoo have expressed apprehension that if the walls and the dilapidated cages are not repaired soon, the animals may escape from the zoo, posing dangers to the human settlement, they said.

Mention may be made here that some young pythons had escaped from the zoo triggering an alarm amongst the people.

Set up on October 2,1976, the zoo attracts about 70,000 visitors in a year.

This works out to about Rs 2 lakhs income every year which goes to the State exchequer.

The zoo has also benefited the people living nearby as they can set up shops and eateries for the visitors.

Employees of the zoo said that if the Government does not get its act together and start putting their mind and soul on its maintenance, then the zoo may die an immature death.

At the moment there are 19 employees, one ad-hoc doctor and 27 muster roll employees attached with the zoo.

The ad-hoc doctor has not been paid salaries for the last-two years while the 27 muster roll employees have not been paid for the last 18 months.

Dr L Puni, said that the zoo has two fully grown female pythons and two matured males.

Comment