The situation at Sayajibaug zoo, however, is glum as people have adopted only a couple of birds. “The scheme was never given due importance, and proper publicity has not been done to attract the people. The results are evident: only a couple of parrots have been adopted by the people against the payment of Rs 7,000,” said an official at Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) refusing to be named.

VMC Commissioner M K Das also admitted that there has been a lack of effort. “It is true that we have not been successful in popularising the concept due to lack of publicity. The amount generated is also negligible. However, we are planning to make a renewed approach. A meeting of the concerned persons would be called in which prospective people who can adopt animals would also be invited,” he said.