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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Former Trinamool MP Jawhar Sircar demands 'answers' for animals missing from Alipore Zoo
Former Trinamool Congress MP and former Culture Secretary to the Government of India Jawhar Sircar on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) raised questions over the 'sudden and gross decline' in the number of animals and birds in Kolkata's Alipore Zoological Garden, referring to irregularities in their inventory data as per annual reports published by the Central Zoo Authority. 'There is no doubt that the number of animals and birds at Alipore Zoo have declined remarkably. In 1996, the Alipore Zoo housed roughly 1,872 animals and birds. As of the opening stock data of 2024, there are only 351 creatures. This drastic decrease has no logic,' Mr. Sircar said at a public meeting called by the Kolkata-based NGO, Save Wild Animal and Zoo and Our Nature (SWAZON). He added that clerical or typographic error in data entry can account for roughly 1% irregularity. 'However, in this case, the discrepancy in inventory data is too large. Where did the animals go? If there are deaths, they need to submit autopsy reports,' Mr. Sircar said. According to the Annual Inventory of Animals in Indian Zoos reports of 2023-24, the total closing stock of all creatures at Alipore Zoo as of March 31, 2023, was 672. However, the opening stock as of the following day, April 1, 2024, was 351 — marking an apparent one day decrease of over 300 creatures. The closing stock as of March 31, 2025, according to the report, is 1084. Mr. Sircar added that the 2024-25 data have no records for big animals like lions, tigers, elephants, and giraffes, and demanded that the State government needs to 'provide answers to explain the fundamental problem behind this discrepancy for public interest.' 'There is either gross negligence or a large conspiracy at play here. The government does not own land; they are the protectors of a certain land. It is their duty to protect such properties,' Mr. Sircar said. It is worth noting that Mr. Sircar in September last year had resigned from his position of MP in the Upper House over the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital and allegations of corruption at the hospital. Alleged auction of Zoo land Meanwhile, former Director General of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and member of SWAZON Dipankar Sinha claimed on Wednesday that the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) issued a tender for the e-auction of a part of the Alipore Zoo land. On May 23, HIDCO floated a notice for e-auction inviting offers for the 'for allotment of 166.50 Katha (11137.50 SQ.M) land in premises no. 34A, Belvedere Road, Alipore under ward no 74 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on freehold basis for Commercial use which shall inter alia includes an aquarium.' He alleged that 34A Belvedere Road belongs to the Alipore Zoo and houses the zoo's veterinary hospital and animal rescue centre. 'As we know the Alipore Zoo is located on two sides of the Alipore Road. On one side we have the aquarium, the veterinary hospital and rescue centre, and an auditorium. The land on which the veterinary hospital is located has been put up on auction. But KMC does not own that land, it is not the government's to sell,' Mr Sinha told The Hindu. He added that the veterinary hospital is critical for the welfare of the animals and criticised the proposal for its purported e-auction. Mr. Sinha further said that the alleged 'disappearance' of hundreds of creatures from the zoo coupled with the auction of a part of the zoo land signals a 'grave and dark future' for the city's ecosphere and raises concerns over whether the space is being deteriorated to a lower-tier zoological garden. 'One side of the zoo, of which the address is 2, Alipore Road, is a heritage property. The second part of the zoo, which is located on the opposite side of the same road, strangely has a different address — 34A Belvedere Road. It makes one wonder if there is a concerted effort to eventually sell off the latter entirely, on account of it not being on the same address as the heritage property,' SWAZON member Swarnali Chattopadhyay said. She also highlighted that according to the report on the Annual Inventory of Animals in Zoos, the inventory of animals and birds in Alipore Zoo has shown a gross and sudden decline in earlier years as well. 'If it is indeed a clerical error as zoo authorities claim, then why has the data not been corrected? And have the so-called missing animals been retrieved in consequent inventory reports? Questions remain on how such gross 'typographical errors' are being made year after year, and if there are larger forces at play,' Ms. Chattopadhyay said. Notably, SWAZON filed a Public Interest Litigation at the Calcutta High Court on July 1 alleging that 'attempted alienation of [zoo land] without obtaining prior consent from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), constitutes a direct violation of Section 38-H of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as well as Rules 10, 10.3(8), and 10.4(2) of the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009.'
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Set up in 18th century, bazaar now deals in milk products and spices
1 2 Kolkata: The Orphanganj Market in Kidderpore, with its origin dating back to the early 18th century, stands as a significant reminder of colonial Calcutta's social welfare initiatives, particularly concerning the Anglo-Indian community. The present form of the market, however, took shape over the past 150-odd years. The market's establishment, with its architecture following the open-brick style and spread over 36 bighas, is closely tied to the Bengal Civil and Military Orphan Society. The society was formed after British officials discovered disturbing conditions affecting orphaned or abandoned children, particularly those of mixed Anglo-Indian heritage. This society subsequently established two schools, including the Free School in Kidderpore, to support these 'Eurasian' orphaned or abandoned children, said retired bureaucrat and former Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar. Several years ago, Sircar served as the collector of the market, thanks to his role as the South 24 Parganas ADM. Plots in Kidderpore were granted to the society by the British govt to generate revenue for their welfare activities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Install the Perfect Pool at Home – Start Here Backyard Pool | Search Ads Learn More Undo The market's proceeds were directly used in supporting the society's charitable work. It was found that earlier, the market was owned by one Collier. Later, the erstwhile British govt bought this market and started the work of expanding it in 1780. The responsibility was given to Captain Becker. The market formation began around 1820, but it slowly achieved its form over a span of the last 150 years. This market is mainly divided into three parts: Government Orphanganj Bazar, Kali Bazar, and Chamaria Building. It controls almost all the markets of South 24 Parganas. At present, the market is mainly known for its milk-based products, with the butter and ghee mandis and spices being the main ones. On the periphery, multiple consumer item trading, including perfumes, is also carried out. The market's informal economy, where unaccounted stalls were set up, has operated without formal accounting systems for the past four decades. An effort was made in 2007 by the Left Front govt to develop it into a mall, and multiple plans were mooted where around 400 traders were summoned. However, it did not materialise. At present, the administration wants a full survey of the ownership and the losses suffered by the traders. This will also establish the exact number of owners of the market, said sources. Sudipto Das)
