GUWAHATI, June 17: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) of India has asked the Maharashtra Government to close down a major section of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali, Mumbai, and maintain only the ``lion safari'' area.

``It is a disgrace in the name of national park or zoo as tens of thousand of visitors everyday make mockery of zoo regulations,'' CZA member secretary S C Sharma said, here today.

``There are only a handfull of common animals in the park apart from the lion safari, where lions are kept in the open and visitors can have a look through park's vehicles.''

Expressing displeasure over the condition of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, he said: ``It is the cheapest mode of entertainment in Mumbai.'' Sharma alongwith another member of the CZA, Puspa Kumara, were here to inspect the condition of the Assam State Zoo.

However, the Assam zoo which they came to inspect, also was subject to scathing criticism.

``About 60 to 70 per cent of the animals should be reduced to bring it to an optimum level which will not only reduce the expenditure on food, but also help the zoo authority to maintain health of the animals,'' Sharma said. Heeding to CZA's advice, the Assam State Zoo authorities have started removing some commonly available animals from the cages.

Sharma said sterilisation was the only way to reduce the number of animals. ``There are 130 sambars in one enclosure: you do not need so mcuh sambars. Besides tuberculosis is common among these animals. As mortality rate is bound to be high, we have suggested sterilisation of the total enclosure instead of few animals.''

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