Puthur zoo offers blueprint for relocation of zoo in Keralam’s capital: expert

The Thrissur Zoological Park at Puthur is a successful model that the government can emulate as it considers relocating the Thiruvananthapuram zoo, K.J. Varughese, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and Special Officer for the Thrissur Zoological Park, Puthur, has said.

Against the backdrop of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s announcement of plans to relocate the Thiruvananthapuram zoo from the heart of the city to a site near forests, Mr. Varughese, who led the establishment of the Puthur zoo said that the Thiruvananthapuram zoo faced space constraints was evident from the fact that 1,025 animals across 98 species were accommodated within an area of ​​just 30 acres. The Chief Minister’s reference to ecosystem constraints and concerns over animal welfare stemmed from this mismatch between the available space and the number of animals being accommodated, Mr. Varughese said.

At a time when perspectives on zoo management were constantly evolving around the world, there were significant constraints in recreating a natural habitat in a 30-acre area, Mr. Varughese pointed out in a statement. The Thrissur zoo was relocated from a 13-acre site in the heart of Thrissur city to a sprawling 336-acre forest area in Puthur. The park, based on a design by world-renowned Australian zoo architect Jon Coe, took shape over eight years. The design of the park, which has already attracted over three lakh visitors, had garnered significant attention.

While a decision to relocate the Thiruvananthapuram zoo was an administrative one, some factors had to be considered. The relocation of the Thrissur zoo was delayed indefinitely owing to land-related issues. This was an invaluable lesson, he said. Globally, zoo safaris were coming into existence. Those who had been on African safaris would certainly expect something similar.

It must be noted that the park at Puthur was established with the approval of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest. However, it would be best not to consider a reserve forest area from the outset itself. It was also desirable that a zoo and a forest and wildlife ecosystem were not adjacent. Instead, estates near forest areas could be considered, he said.

Around 600 acres of land is needed for establishing a zoo safari. Land that could be acquired at a low cost for this purpose was available near Neyyar-Kottoor. The operation of a zoo could not be sustained solely by visitor fee; a commercial area was also needed. This is possible on a non-forest land.

Again, implementing a project that would require an investment of ₹750 crore, including the cost of land acquisition, through the State Budget alone would be impossible. Alternative financial sources must be identified for this. Maharashtra was implementing a zoological park as a public-private venture at Gorewada near Pune. There are various avenues for raising capital for such projects. The history of the Thrissur Zoological Park at Puthur reflected this, Mr. Varughese said.