Debri waste find usage in Byculla Zoo

Debris from a construction site will now be put to good use. Huge rocks being removed from a construction site near the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale (VJB) Zoo, which would have otherwise been crushed, will now be used in an animal enclosure.

Speaking to DNA, Dr Sanjay Tripathi, Director, VJB Zoo, said that when the construction work began, they found that several old rocks were being removed during excavation and piling. "We immediately thought about using them inside our enclosures for various animals such as the ones for the lion, the tiger, and the leopards, instead of creating artificial ones. These rocks will give the enclosures a natural feel, too," he said. He added that several of these rocks have been kept near the bandstand area in the zoo and will be put to use when the work on revamping the enclosures begin.

Another senior zoo official informed it might even help save some cost, as getting artificial stones made is an expensive affair. "In fact, few months ago, just after work had begun, some of our proposed the idea to Piramal staff who are carrying out the construction work. They said they were glad to help and even transported the stones to the zoo," said the official.

The proposed Rs 120-crore VJB Zoo makeover has been in a limbo. As per officials, 17 animal enclosures need to be built to house mammals like the asiatic lion, tigers, leopards, sloth bear, jackal, swamp deer, otters, among others. The tender has been constantly delayed due to various controversies, leaving the zoo with only old animals. The only big attraction now happens to be the penguins.