*Funds constraints likely to create obstacles in mega project
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 12: Unbelie-vable it may sound but it is a fact that even eight months after the start of work on mega zoo project in Jammu the Government has failed to identify the committed source of funding and nobody in the Forest and Wildlife Depart-ments is in a position to specify how and when this major issue would get resolved for ensuring timely completion of the project.
The project was conceived several years back and became part of the announcements made by the successive Forest Ministers in the State Legislature. The main objective behind this project was to attract more tourists and pilgrims who will boost the economic activities in the winter capital of the State, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
However, the first step towards this plan was initiated in the year 2014 when huge chunk of land in Nagrota tehsil along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was identified. Accordingly, the necessary steps including preparation of Detailed Project Report were initiated.
Following completion of paper work and earmarking of 5000 kanals of land at Khanpur in Nagrota tehsil the State Wildlife Department formally approached the Central Zoo Authority whose permission for establishment of any zoo in any part of the country is mandatory.
In two attempts, the Wildlife Department succeeded in obtaining clearance from the Central Zoo Authority for establishment of zoo on 5000 kanals of land. Thereafter, in anticipation of funds from different sources, the Forest Minister Ch Lal Singh on September 10, 2016 laid foundation of zoo titled as Jambu Zoo (Shivalik Biological Park) and announced that Rs 120 crore worth project will be completed within a period of two-three years.
On the directions of the Forest Minister an amount of around Rs 2 crore was also released to the Wildlife Department and accordingly the work was started. During the past eight months an amount of Rs one crore has been expended on leveling of field, creation of water source and fencing of some areas.
However, till date the committed source of funding for the mega project has not been identified and nobody in the Forest and Wildlife Depart-ments is in a position to specify from where the remaining funds would come. “They are only optimistic about arrangement of required funds for the project but are unable to tell how and when this major issue would get resolved”, sources said.
While presenting Budget for 2017-18 financial year, the Finance Minister Dr Haseeb A Drabu had announced that Government proposed to set up two zoos-one each at Jammu and Srinagar but till date not even a single penny has been released for Jambu Zoo, they further said.
“As the State would not be in a position to give such a huge amount for this project from own resources, identification of alternate sources of funding is imperative but unfortunately the Forest and Wildlife Departments are still groping in dark on this vital aspect. This is notwithstanding the fact that an amount of Rs 60 crore would be required every year if the project is to be completed within a period of three years as was announced by the Forest Minister Ch Lal Singh”, sources said.
An officer of the Wildlife Department, on the condition of anonymity, said, “a proposal is being drafted for seeking financial assistance from Central Zoo Authority. But he expressed inability to specify whether the Central Zoo Authority would consider the request or not”.
Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Forest Depart-ment, Mohd Afzal Bhat, when contacted, admitted that no committed source of funding for Jambu Zoo has been identified till date. Admitting that without committed funds project cannot be completed on time, he said, “we will request the Tourism Department to give some funds as ultimate objective of the project is to attract tourists”.
“We will also try to utilize some funds available under Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)”, he further said, adding “even Finance Department will be approached for fulfilling the commitment made in the Budget for 2017-18 financial year”. He, however, could not elaborate when the issue of funding would get resolved.
It is pertinent to mention here that facilities like eco-park, wildlife enclosures, birds century with large number of species from the world around, herbal park, cafeterias, facilities of public utilities, parking spots and other things which are available in the national level zoos across the country have been proposed for Jambu Zoo.
Moreover, Jambu Zoo is proposed to be constructed on modern lines and the animals will be kept in moats and not in cages so that the visitors can see the animals in a natural environment.
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