ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to upgrade Marghzar Zoo through by involving the investment of private sector of national and international firms. The CDA likely call Expression of Interest (EoI) from the private sector on Monday. Under present conditions a source claimed that the high ups of Capital Development Authority are planning to upgrade Marghzar Zoo to international standard through private partnership on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, which is the violation of ordinance 1960. In past, CDA officials made the same error for Islamabad toll plaza through BOT. Later on, the corrupt officials were accused and the matter is still in court. This step of civic body is controversial. The big bosses of CDA on the sweet will of State Minister for Capital Administration & Development Division (CADD) decided to seek the tenders from national and international firms to improve the zoo at international level on private investment. The zoo would be handed over to the contract winning firm to run the zoo for prescribed time period. Sources privy to the development on condition of anonymity told Daily Times that there is not any rules and regulations existing in the civic body under which the zoo is given on the basis of “Build Operate and Transfer” BOT. Islamabad Zoo was opened in 1978 and is currently occupied 25 acres in the foothills of Margallas. However, no mega development has been carried out in the Zoo for many years. Interestingly, in 2008, a PC-1 worth Rs1,407 million was prepared for the expansion of the Zoo to 82 acres with bigger cages and enclosures for the animals. Anyhow, the project could not be executed. Currently, there are 824 birds of 42 species and 93 animals in the zoo. It is also worth mention here that due to the plight of zoo and alleged negligence of CDA staff many animals died and even not a single inquiry was held ever to probe the demise of the precious animals. When contacted, Member Environment of the CDA Sanaullah Aman acceded with the circumstances saying, “We are still working on our best to improve the Marghzar Zoo. Unfortunately, we could not maintain the zoo at international level so the authority decided to give it on BOT”. In this context, a tender would be floated in media within two days so that the interesting firms can participate the bidding. Authority is looking for firm which can build the zoo according to international level and then maintained for a certain period generate their expenditures by their own means. The civic body has completely failed to attract visitors towards zoo due to the mismanagement and untidy atmosphere. “The environment wing of the CDA is working on the up gradation and development plan of the zoo. Under the plan, more birds and animal species, including a pair of lions and one elephant, will be added to the zoo,” said the sources. When asked about the deadline for arranging the lions and an elephant, the member environment said, “Within a month you will see lions roaring in their cages while a period of two months is required for bringing the female elephant from Sri Lanka”. Minister of CADD, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said, “We are thoroughly working to improve the entire system of Marghzar Zoo to attract citizens and also going to arrange seven busses through which the passengers of Rawalpindi Islamabad Metro bus will reach Zoo in no additional cost”. Moreover, the authority seeking the proposals for development of Marghzar Zoo and build a children play area, Dolphin show and setup a new system for cleanliness from private firms. The CDA consistently failed to maintain the food for animals therefore, authority is going to execute the plan of up gradation through BOT. There is not something flabbergasting, “the maintenance of metro bus and solid waste management in Rawalpindi is maintaining by the Turkish company on BOT basis,” he added.