Goa govt appeals people to adopt zoo animals, birds

The goa Government today appealed the people to 'adopt' the inmates of Bondla Zoo and Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in the state by paying the upkeep cost of an animal or a bird for a year.
"I appeal people to adopt at least one animal or bird from Bondla Zoo or Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary," Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar said in the Legislative Assembly.
He was speaking on demand of grants for his department.
"The Forest Department has a scheme which allows the people or corporate houses to adopt wild animals. We should get good response to that so that there is a bonding between people and the Forest Department," the Minister said.

The department was also working on organising a birds festival to attract tourists and bird lovers. "Of the total of 1,000 species of birds found in India, 460 are found in Goa. We need to showcase this aspect to the world," he said.
The government was also working on promoting eco-tourism and shift the focus from beaches to the hinterland, he said.