The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has issued notices to four zoos in the state after they failed to submit their master plans explaining future development projects.

Sources said all the zoos were asked to submit their plans till 2020, by March 31. But only two zoos — Indroda Park, Gandhinagar; and Kankaria Zoo, Ahmedabad — have submitted their plans.

Sakkarbaug zoo in Junagadh; Sarthana Zoo in Surat; Sayajibaug Zoo in Vadodara; and Rajkot Zoo are yet to submit their plans.

CZA Evaluation and Monitoring officer Brij Gupta said: “As most zoos in Gujarat have missed their deadlines, CZA has issued notices to them to submit their master plans as soon as possible. We have taken up this initiative to improve zoo administration and performance. The main aim is to enforce minimum standards and norms for the upkeep and healthcare of the animals so that the zoos can come up to a standard where they can complement and strengthen the national efforts in conservation of wild fauna.”

He added: “If the masterplan is not submitted on time, no funds will be allocated in the coming years.”

He said that some zoos, such as the Butterfly Park in Surat, which is being developed by the Surat Municipal Corporation, doesn’t have CZA permission.

Surat Municipal Commissioner S Aparna said: “We have submitted the master plan. During their visit, CZA officials said there is a need to revise it and add some more details about new enclosures such as the Butterfly Park and aquarium in the masterplan. The new masterplan has already being cleared by the Sarthana zZoo authorities and we will submit it soon.”

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