Zoo decays as government gobbles its funds in Manipur

Imphal, June 25: The lone zoological garden in the state at Iroishemba is plummeting into a state of decay owing to negligence by the state government. Although the state government had been facing a financial crisis for the last many years, the Centre had uninterruptedly released funds through the state government for the maintenance of the zoo. However, the state government has not made available these central funds for the development or maintenance of the zoo except for bills clearance of contractors supplying fodders and meat for the zoo animals. Even this has not been regular, sources said. An official source stated that the Union ministry for wild life and forest has been religiously sanctioning funds for the zoo upkeep, as it houses 27 Schedule I species, including the brow antlered deer, golden cat, hoolock gibbon, capped langur, slow loris, Malaysian sun bear, Indian horn bill, Burmese pea fowl, hog deer and many reptiles. Inspite of this, the state zoological garden, which is under the supervision and control of the chief conservator of forest and wild life of the state forest department, is constantly deteriorating. Many unfortunate incidents have also occurred in the zoo area mostly due to poor fencing and lack of modern equipment essential for the protection of the animals. The unavailability of tranquilizers in the zoo then made it impossible to recapture the anima without causing it physical injury, the official said. Although the zoological garden is also regarded as the second home of Sangai, the brow antlered deer, the dwelling areas of the deers is unprotected with broken fences along the slope of Langol hill. The revenue at the range of Rs 4000-5000 collected per month as entrance fees goes directly to the state government. The months of June, July and August attracts maximum visitors to the zoo.