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| Kashmir says no to Zoo at Pahalgam | | Environmental watchdog raises concerns | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 5: Amid growing complaints that the government is focusing more on development of Pahalgam as the most-preferred tourist destination in Kashmir, experts have criticized the government plan to develop zoo at the resort on the banks of Lidder. Peoples' Environmental Council (PEC), a Srinagar based environmental watchdog, has expressed serious concerns over the selection of Pahalgam as site for the proposed zoo. In a meeting held here, the PEC members including experts from Kashmir University and veterinary discussed the government's decision of establishing a zoo in Kashmir. The members said the choice of setting up a zoo at Pahalgam region sounds "inaccurate." They said that "Pahalgam is already bearing the brunt of a huge tourist footfall." "Putting it under further stress by establishing the zoo there would not be advisable," they resolved.
According to PEC, the zoo should be nearer to the Srinagar city, which would also provide it a central location and easy accessibility to the people of all districts. That way the zoo would attract a lot of visitors and act as an additional tourist spot in the valley, the PEC members said. PEC has proposed that the government should reconsider its decision of establishing the zoo at Pahalgam and should hold further deliberations for selecting the proper site for the zoo. The members suggested to the government that it should think about locating the zoo either at Parihaspora in north Kashmir or at Awantipora in south Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by PEC Chairman, G H Kango and experts including noted veterinarian and former Director of Animal Husbandry Dr Farooq Ahmed Kaloo, prominent medico Dr Khurshid A Salman, Dr Shakil Romshoo of Kashmir University and others. People from tourism industry have already condemned the government decision saying "zoo at Pahalgam will be ecological disaster." "People don't come to health resorts to see Zoo. Moreover presence of wild animals in busy area will be against the animal rights," said an activist working with Animal Rights Group. Meanwhile members of pressure group said the matter would be brought to the notice of the union Wildlife authorities. "We won't let there be any injustice," they said.
A senior official in the Wildlife Department said the government shouldn't ignore the expert opinion of site for development of zoo. |
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