Daily Times

LAHORE: A 12-member committee, constituted by the Punjab chief minister, gave the approval to a project of constructing new cages for animals, amusement park for visitors, foreign training of officers, purchasing new animals and completing pairs of animals in Lahore Zoo, which would cost Rs 322 million.

National Assembly Member Afzal Khokhar, Provincial Assembly Member Saira Iftikhar, University of Animal Sciences Vice Chancellor Talat Naseer Pasha, Punjab Wildlife and Parks Director General Khalid Ayaz Khan, Punjab Tourism Development Corporation Deputy Managing Director Shahrukh Butt, private wildlife expert Khan Muhammad Khan, Lahore Zoo Director Shafqat Ali, Safari Zoo Park Lahore Deputy Director Syed Zafar ul Hassan and other attended the meeting.

They said that the officers of the Wildlife Department would be sent to Europe, England and South Asian countries for training in audio, video, pictorial evidences available in zoos of foreign countries and would also review the facilities being provided to tourists, provision of food and other matters. They said that these officers, after completing their training, would submit a detailed report besides imparting training to the remaining Wildlife officers as master-trainers.

The meeting was told that after the final approval by Punjab chief minister, the amount would be incurred on construction of amusement park, walkways, new cages, art work, staff colony, provision of more facilities to tourists and purchasing new animals and completing the pair of animals.

A report was presented in the meeting for setting up of a zoo at Sahiwal and the concerned DCO promised to provide 25 to 50 acres of land. The revenue record is being checked in this regard.

Wildlife Director General Khalid Ayaz Khan informed the meeting that instructions have been issued to all DCOs for setting up of zoos and wildlife parks at divisional and district level respectively and they have requested a two week period for selecting the land for the constructions.

Regarding the quality of food provided to animals and birds, the meeting was informed that District Food Authority has been requested to appoint its representatives at zoos and safari parks to check the quality of food.

Lahore Zoo Director Shafqat Ali, while giving his representation, said that a comprehensive plan has been evolved for provision of facilities, including artwork, landscaping and setting up of souvenir shops, to visitors at the zoo. The provincial ministers and committee members also visited the Lahore Safari Zoo Park and gave proposals for improving the facilities.