SARAH HANNAN
COLOMBO Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga said that his Ministry has proposed to relocate the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala to Piliyandala.
Ranatunga proposed this move during a recent meeting held with the officials from the Departments of National Zoological and Botanical Gardens.
“We have submitted a proposal suggesting the animals be relocated to an area that has been identified in Kahapola, Piliyandala. This decision was taken after considering that the zoo needs to be upgraded according to modern standards and also to provide animals a better habitat than within the confines of a cage, as is the practice at present,” Ranatunga explained.
Once the zoo is relocated, the Ministry will look at employing modern methods to maintain the animals, which will reduce cruelty towards them. He elaborated that at present, the Dehiwala Zoo incurs an animal maintenance cost of Rs. 40 million while another Rs. 6 million is allotted as overtime payments of employees.
Ranatunga noted that guidelines are also to be drafted pertaining to taming wild elephants and putting them to use in processions, which is to be presented through a cabinet paper in the immediate future.
The proposal is to be taken up for discussion at the cabinet meeting. Once the necessary approvals are obtained, they would look at the relocation process.(The Morning )
Relocating the Zoo is good idea. But can keep the area for few animals.
After shifting the zoo the vast area of land should be able to use for locating some Government offices or for any governmental projects. Make sure not to sell the land to private or any other countries.