Mysore/Mysuru: With Zoos across the State facing severe financial crunch, the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) has appealed the Government for Rs.101 crore fund for maintenance of Zoos .

A delegation led by ZAK Chairman L.R. Mahadevaswamy met Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa at the CM’s official residence Kaveri in Bengaluru on Thursday and submitted a memorandum seeking release of funds for maintenance of Zoos, which are facing severe shortfall in revenue collection following the outbreak of  COVID-19 pandemic.

Pointing out that there are nine Zoos in the State, Mahadevaswamy sought allotment of  Rs.101 crore grant in the forthcoming State Budget (2021-22). Stating that Zoos needed Rs.118 crore for annual maintenance, he said that the gate collection of Zoos was a paltry Rs.17 crore and as such the shortfall  of Rs.101 crore must be made up by the Government. 

Noting  that the income of Zoos dwindled due to lack of visitors following the COVID-19 induced nationwide lockdown, he said that the Government grant was crucial for meeting the rising  maintenance costs. Presenting statistical details of Zoo income and expenses and future financial forecast, Mahadevaswamy appealed the CM to allot funds (Rs.101 crore) to ZAK in the budget and thus help the Zoos come out of financial crisis.

Gundlupet MLA C.S. Niranjan Kumar, BJP leader Dr. Babu and others were present.

On Thursday, Mahadevaswamy also met the new Minister for Forests Aravind Limbavali and felicitated him at Vidhana  Soudha. ZAK  Member-Secretary  B.P. Ravi, Mysuru Zoo Director Ajit M. Kulkarni, Gundlupet MLA C.S. Niranjan Kumar, Karnataka Forest Development Corporation Chairperson Tara Anuradha and others were present.