Haryana moots adoption plan for zoo animals

The Haryana Forest and Wildlife department has chalked out an adoption plan for the birds and animals kept in the three zoos of the state — Pipli (Kurukshetra),Rohtak and Bhiwani — and a deer park near Dhansu village,Hisar. In return for their gesture,those adopting an animal can get income tax exemption on the amount spent.

“The adoption plan is ready and will be launched in about a week’s time. We are in the process of publishing brochures to be put on display at different places. The idea is to educate people about wild creatures and encourage them to protect and conserve wildlife of the state,” said Forest and Environment Minister Capt Ajay Singh Yadav.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest R K Sapra said people would be able to adopt animals and birds on monthly or yearly basis. Tiger will be the costliest animal for adoption — at Rs 30,000 a month and Rs 3.6 lakh a year. While other animals will come cheaper (see box),birds made available for adoption will be available for as low as Rs 50 a month (Love bird,Budgerigar and Java Sparrow) to Rs 1,000 a year. But a minimum of 10 birds will have to be adopted. Sapra said the charges for full-grown animals or birds would be double than that of the young ones.

Besides tax exemption,those adopting animals would be given some other privileges,too. The person’s name will be suitably displayed on a board and he or she will be allowed free entry passes for family or five persons to visit the zoo 12 times a year. The adopter will be a special guest during various celebrations.

Capt Yadav said the scheme was being modelled on the pattern of Karnataka,where it was highly successful.