CZA asks MP forest authorities not to allow marathon in zoo

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) today asked Madhya Pradesh forest authorities not to allow activities like 'marathon', which involve movement of large number of people, inside the Van Vihar National Park here.
The CZA said that "marathon is not a permitted activity inside the zoo, where even the morning/ evening walk or cycling was prohibited as per the authority's guidelines."
Earlier this month, the CZA had sought a clarification from MP's forest authorities, including Bhopal's Van Vihar National Park management, for allowing a marathon to pass through the park, which is an open zoo.
The 'Run Bhopal Run' marathon, organised on December 4, had passed through the park.

"The marathon, involving large number of persons and accompanying support vehicles and persons inside the zoo premises, should not have permitted by the zoo management, in violation of the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009, and the guidelines of CZA issued in the matter," CZA member secretary Dr D N Singh said.
"The management of the Van Vihar Zoo, Bhopal, is advised not to allow such an activity inside the zoo premises in future," he added.

The move comes following a complaint filed by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey, who had alleged that the marathon created lot of noise and disturbance to animals housed in the zoo.

Following the complaint, CZA had served a notice to the Van Vihar on December 5.
In reply, the Van Vihar management had refuted the allegations and said that only 430 persons were allowed to enter the marathon, which did not cause any disturbance to the animals. They also stated that it was a 'wildlife conservation and awareness marathon'.
The CZA, on the basis of the complainant's evidences, found that the runners and associated vehicles moved a considerable distance in close proximity to animal enclosures. It also said activities allowed by rules under the wildlife conservation include meetings, conferences and workshops, which also cannot be organised in the vicinity of enclosures.

Dubey told PTI that he plans to take the issue to court and also write to Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) to take action against the erring officials.
Meanwhile, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Wildlife, Jitendra Agrawal said the authorities have already replied to the CZA's letter earlier.
"I am not aware of today's CZA communication. I will see whenever it would reach to me," he added.