PMC works on disaster management plan for city zoo

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The plan has to be prepared by experts and the PMC disaster management department has been asked to take up the responsibility, Ghorpade said, adding that the garden department would implement the plan after it is submitted by the disaster management department.

PMC’s disaster management officer Ganesh Sonune said the civic administration had already prepared a disaster management plan for the city, which is updated every year.

“The garden department has made a request for a specific plan for Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. However, the department does not have an expertise on that so we would be roping in wildlife experts and other organisations for the job,” he said.

Sonune said the idea was to have a detailed plan to deal with any crisis arising out of natural disasters like cyclone, flood, drought or earthquake or accidents like fire, animal escape or outbreak of diseases.

The crisis might also arise out of vandalism by unruly visitors, strike by staff, stoppage of water supply, power and animal feed due to circumstances beyond the control of the zoo management, he said.

Meanwhile, the CZA has asked the zoo administration to take certain steps with immediate effect, which include a rope ladder for emergency use at all enclosures housing carnivores in the zoo in open.

A quick response team (QRT), a list of dos and don’ts printed on entry tickets or separate leaflets or through a public address system and warning signs are other suggested measures.