Govt. to establish centre for Zoo Sciences soon, says Javadekar

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar, has said that the government would be establishing a centre of Zoo Sciences in the national capital in due course for which the modalities were being worked out.

"The purpose for establishing such an institution would be to turn around in the functioning of the zoos in the country, infuse scientific and technical culture in the present system and make the zoos more visitor friendly," said Javadekar in his inaugural address at the 69th Annual Conference of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) here.

"The proposed institution would act as a technical advisor to the Central Zoo Authority and to provide expert help to the states and UTs in ex-situ conservation breeding of endangered species, and organize training courses for in-service zoo personnel and stakeholders in India as well as for zoo personnel of South Asian countries," he added.

Javadekar also highlighted the initiatives undertaken by his ministry for the conservation of endangered species.

World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has organized this five-day conference to initiate discussions and create public awareness about preserving bio-diversity and contributing towards achieving 'Aichi targets' for Global Biodiversity Conservation.