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| Central Zoo Authority | |
|---|---|
| Name | Central Zoo Authority |
| Formation | 1992 |
| Type | Statutory body |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Location | India |
| Leader title | Chairperson |
| Parent organization | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change |
Central Zoo Authority
The Central Zoo Authority is a statutory body established in 1992 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 to oversee and regulate zoos in India. It functions as a technical advisory and regulatory institution linked to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, interacting with state-level agencies such as State Wildlife Boards and institutions including the Zoological Survey of India, Bombay Natural History Society, and National Biodiversity Authority. Its mandate intersects with national laws and international frameworks like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The Authority was constituted through amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 following recommendations from committees including the IUCN-linked expert groups and panels convened after high-profile cases such as controversies around animal acquisitions at the Delhi Zoo. Early advisory links included consultations with the Indian Board for Wildlife and inputs from institutions like the Sunderlal Bahuguna-led environmental movements and scientific bodies like the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. Over time, it developed protocols informed by international precedents such as standards promoted by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and learned from judicial pronouncements including directions issued by the Supreme Court of India in wildlife protection litigation.
The Authority is constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and reports to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Its governing structure includes a Chairperson and members drawn from institutions such as the Zoological Survey of India, Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and representatives from state administrations like the Government of West Bengal and Government of Karnataka. Administrative processes reference model rules crafted with inputs from the Central Pollution Control Board and legal guidance reflecting precedents from the Supreme Court of India and the National Green Tribunal. Liaison occurs with professional bodies like the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and academic institutions such as the University of Delhi and Banaras Hindu University.
Mandated functions derive from the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and executive notifications issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Responsibilities include granting recognition to zoos across states including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam; overseeing transfers between institutions such as the Mysore Zoo and the Arignar Anna Zoological Park; and advising on species management plans for taxa listed under schedules in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Authority coordinates with enforcement agencies like the Forest Department and collaborates with conservation organizations including the Wildlife Trust of India, World Wide Fund for Nature-India, and TRAFFIC on illegal wildlife trade and rehabilitation protocols.
The Authority issues recognition and accreditation standards informed by principles from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and best practices used by the San Diego Zoo and London Zoo. It prescribes guidelines for infrastructure upgrades at institutions such as the Alipore Zoological Gardens, Nehru Zoological Park, and Arignar Anna Zoological Park, and benchmarks welfare indicators paralleling manuals from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Veterinary Council of India. Compliance mechanisms reference administrative decisions and enforcement actions aligned with jurisprudence from the Supreme Court of India and oversight considerations similar to those of the National Biodiversity Authority.
The Authority supports ex situ conservation programs and captive-breeding initiatives for species like the Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, Indian rhinoceros, and Gharial in collaboration with field programs in landscapes such as Gir National Park, Sundarbans National Park, Kaziranga National Park, and Manas National Park. It funds research partnerships with the Zoological Survey of India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and university departments at institutions including University of Calcutta and Indian Institute of Science. Programmatic links extend to international cooperative projects under frameworks like the Convention on Biological Diversity and bilateral conservation agreements with organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Royal Society.
Standards and protocols are developed referencing ethical frameworks endorsed by bodies like the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and veterinary guidance from the Veterinary Council of India and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute. Welfare oversight addresses enclosure design at facilities such as the Alipore Zoological Gardens and Mysore Zoo, humane handling protocols informed by the National Institute of Nutrition and species-specific care plans for taxa like Indian elephant and Asiatic lion. The Authority’s ethical review processes align with national rulings from the Supreme Court of India and policy directives issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Funding modalities include budgetary allocations from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, project grants linked to programs with the World Bank and multilateral agencies, and contributions from state governments such as the Government of Karnataka and Government of Tamil Nadu. Financial management follows government audit norms overseen by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and procurement practices compatible with directives from the Ministry of Finance and audit frameworks used by institutions like the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. Revenue streams also include user fees at recognized facilities such as the Nehru Zoological Park and philanthropic support from NGOs including the Bombay Natural History Society and Wildlife Trust of India.
Category:Zoos in India Category:Wildlife conservation in India