The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has pointed out several flaws in a proposal of the Alipore Zoological Garden administration to set up a satellite zoo at Bhagabanpur in South Parganas.

At first, the CZA is not pleased with the choice of site for the proposed facility. In the letter dated May 27, 2008 (a copy of which is with The Indian Express) to the managing committee of the Alipore zoo, the CZA states, “The proposed site seems to be not suitable for a zoo or a satellite facility. Since it falls in a low-lying area, it can be better utilized as an aquatic park.”

The CZA also said that the proposal, submitted in April this year, did not specify the purpose of setting up a site. “It’s not clear whether the Alipore zoo will be relocated there or the satellite facility will function as an independent zoo,” the letter states.

The CZA has asked the zoo authorities to submit the long due master plan for the zoo and draw up a detailed plan for the proposed project. It has directed the authorities to come up with an estimate of the land that has been transferred to them at the new site. It also noted that the management had not mentioned its plans to arrange funds for the salaries of staff at the new site.

Moreover, the Centre has clarified that it would not provide funds for filling in the low-lying site. It is also not willing to fund the creation of enclosures for exotic and domestic animals.

According to sources, the Alipore zoo has only piecemeal plans till now. “They suggested shifting the hippos first but the CZA want a comprehensive plan,” said an official of the state forest department.

“Our plans depend on the land availability. We initially estimated 16.5 acres of land, and to first shift the wetland animals such as hippos. The preliminary cost is pegged at Rs 11 crore,” said TK Sengupta, Honorary Secretary of the zoo managing committee.

The Alipore zoo management is feeling pressure to obey the CZA directives.