Mumbai, Feb. 5: The officials of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) are planning to put up animals inside the park for adoption to corporates as well as individuals. However, the proposal is yet to get an approval.
"We have a proposal to put up animals of the national park for adoption," said Dr P.N. Munde, chief conservator of forests and director of the SGNP. However, the adoption scheme would be limited to animals that are in captivity. The adoption scheme is still on paper and the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife division), who is based in Nagpur, is the concerned authority to give a green signal.
Depending on the feasibility, the adoption proposal may be approved later this year and from 2011 onwards, the scheme
would be open to animal lovers.
"By coming out with this kind of a scheme, the financial burden on the forest department would be reduced to a certain extent," added, Mr V.L. Rathod, assistant conservator of forest, SGNP.
According to the proposal, a total of 46 animals would be put up for adoption for a year. The money would take care of the animal’s food, maintenance of the enclosures as well as the medical treatment needed in the entire year.
The animals that would be put up for adoption include four lions, two white tigers, four tigers, 23 leopards, six leopard cats, four cheetals (deers), two nilgais and a barking deer.
The adoption of a white tiger would be the most expensive at Rs 3,15,000 per annum, while the cheapest would be a barking deer at the cost of Rs 10,000 per annum. "The cost is based on the calculation that we have done for each and every animal," Dr Munde said. Apart from the adoption, the national park authorities are also planning to get sponsors to treat injured or sick animals.
