Latest news with #NZP
Time of India
14-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Hyderabad zoo welcomes 2 exotic Serval cats
HYDERABAD: The Nehru Zoological Park , Hyderabad, has expanded its collection of exotic animals with the release of a pair of Serval cats into the enclosure for public display on Sunday. This new exotic species, both two years old, is endemic to the African continent and can live up to 16 years in captivity. The zoo now has 195 species in its collection. Apart from this, principal chief conservator of forests and head of forest force, C Suvarna and NZP director, Sunil S Hiremath, launched a plantation programme under Vana Mahotsavam celebrations 2025. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
No more murky water: Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad goes hi-tech to save animals
Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad is revamping its animal enclosures by replacing water moats with dry moats and glass panels to combat health issues caused by polluted water from Mir Alam tank By: HYDERABAD: In a major revamp aimed at safeguarding animal health, Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) will replace its traditional water moats with mud-filled dry moats and glass viewing panels. The revamp will begin with the tiger enclosure in the next couple of months. The reason? To eliminate the long-standing threat posed by polluted water from the adjacent Mir Alam tank. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad 'Water from the tank has previously caused health issues for animals and administrative challenges for us. By removing it altogether, we no longer have to worry,' said NZP director Sunil S Hiremath. The contaminated water, which flows through the zoo via underground channels, has been linked to several animal deaths. Between 2018 and 2019, 58 animals reportedly died due to liver cirrhosis believed tobe caused by polluted water. Another study in 2022 by BITS Pilani (Hyderabad campus) found dissolved oxygen levels in the tank at just 3.4 mg/l — far below the UNEP-recommended 10 mg/l. 'Residential and industrial waste from nearby areas is constantly dumped into the lake. Encroachments are increasing and the lake's area has shrunk from 650 to under 300 acres. Despite big-ticket govt announcements, no real clean-up has happened,' said Ishtiyaq Sharif, co-convener of Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL). Veterinary officials have warned of long-term damage to animals' kidneys due to exposure to water contaminated with heavy metals and bacteria. 'We are planning to install a sewage treatment plant near the tank soon,' said MA Hakim, deputy director, veterinary wing. Immersive experience The redesign will also help reduce zoo maintenance costs, which currently run over Rs 1 crore per enclosure annually due to high water use. Zoo officials said the new layout will not only be cost-effective but also enhance the visitor experience. 'The dry moats will give animals more space and visitors a closer, immersive view,' said Deepak Tarun, an educator at the zoo. How's zoo dealing with contamination? To tackle water contamination, Nehru Zoo now relies on borewells and regular water testing. Drinking water is supplied by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, while 32 borewells, each 3.5 inches wide, meet trench and enclosure needs. These deep borewells, in use for ?ve years, replaced earlier dependence on tank water. 'We send water samples to Veterinary Biological Research Institute every time and ?ll trenches only after getting clearance,' said zoo director Sunil S Hiremath. Desilting is done monthly, and biannual advisory meetings are held to monitor pollution. 'Despite precautions, seepage or tank over?ow during monsoons can lead to contamination,' said zoo biologist Laxmi Narayana, warning that animal exposure risks persist, especially during rains.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Hyderabad: Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) to launch night safari featuring nocturnal species; increase workforce by at least 30%
By Siddanth Nair HYDERABAD: The Nehru Zoological Park (NZP), which already hosts five animal safaris, is gearing up to launch night safari. This move follows an April 4 directive from the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI), which lifted the earlier ban on night safaris in zoos. "The plan is still in its preliminary stages. Organising a night safari is a big project that will take time and effort," NZP director Sunil S Hiremath told TOI. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The safari, expected to be operational within a year, will feature only nocturnal species such as owls, reptiles, wild cats, canids, civets, bats, and flightless birds, in line with the directive. While NZP already has the infrastructure to support the initiative, manpower remains a concern. "I anticipate we will need to increase our workforce by at least 30%," Hiremath said. The night safari is likely to run between 6pm and 11pm daily, except Mondays. Entry fares will be higher than the standard Rs 100 ticket. However, zoo-goers who visit during the day will have the option of re-entry for the night safari.
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Some have habit of creating doubts': Minister Bhupender Yadav rebuts Jairam Ramesh on Delhi Zoo privatization concerns
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav Saturday rebutted questions and privatization concerns raised by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh regarding the Delhi Zoo and an agreement proposed between the Centre-run establishment and Reliance-run Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC). In a post on social media platform X, Yadav said that the National Zoological Park (NZP), which is run by the Centre, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GZRRC, based in Gujarat's Jamnagar, in January 2021, and NZP has sought to revise the existing MoU. He said NZP has signed MoUs with different organisations working in wildlife management in the past as part of its modernisation drive and will continue to do so. Replying to Ramesh's post, Yadav said, 'Some people have made it a habit to create doubts in the mind of the public at every instance.' Ramesh had said on June 4 that while the government 'claims that this is not a management transfer, its past record does not inspire confidence. Is this the first step towards handing over the zoo to a private enterprise?' Yadav said that the 2021 MoU between NZP and GZRRC focused on the exchange of animals, capacity building, animal keepers, technical exchanges on the scientific management of animals, and sharing knowledge on conservation breeding and education. 'Keeping in line with the common objectives of captive wildlife management and for further broadening the collaboration as per current management requirements, NZP sought to revise the existing MoU with GZRRC. The proposed MoU aims to foster collaboration in wildlife conservation, rescue, rehabilitation, animal health, and welfare,' Yadav said. The key areas of cooperation, he added, include support for veterinary care, enclosure design, enrichment, staff training, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and potential animal exchanges. Yadav added in his post that GZRRC has developed state-of-the-art facilities and services in animal health and welfare, world-class zoo designing, rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals, and habitat enrichment. NZP, he said, being a 60-year-old institution, has gained substantial expertise in breeding and care of many endangered species and is aiming to modernise its facilities and services by adopting best practices in animal welfare in captivity, as well as enhanced visitor experience, on par with a world-class zoo. The Central Zoo Authority granted approval to GZRCC in February 2019, and an initial recognition was granted in August 2020. As per its latest available annual report, GZRRC is home to 10,360 animals of 345 species. Most animals housed at GZRRC are 'part of its initiative to rescue captive animals from impoverished conditions in zoos and facilities in the nature of zoos, to decongest them and provide welfare to animals that were housed under sub-optimal conditions,' the annual report states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited and inaugurated Vantara, the rescue facility at Jamnagar, on March 4 this year.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Finalists Announced For 2025 ExportNZ ASB Central Region Awards
Press Release – Business Central The awards recognise exporting excellence from across the Central New Zealand Region – from Greater Wellington to Wairarapa, Horowhenua, Whanganui and Manawat. ExportNZ is proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 ExportNZ ASB Central Region Export Awards. The awards recognise exporting excellence from across the Central New Zealand Region – from Greater Wellington to Wairarapa, Horowhenua, Whanganui and Manawatū. This year's new-look event is being hosted for the first time in Palmerston North, at the Palmerston North Conference and Function Centre on June 6. The awards are judged by a highly experienced panel of exporting specialists from ExportNZ, ASB and NZTE. This year's finalists represent a wide range of businesses from across the Central region, with judges commending their innovation, creativity and endeavour amidst a challenging global market. ExportNZ national Chair and chief judge David Boyd says this year's finalists are a special group: 'Entrants in the Export Awards always amaze us with their ingenuity and innovation but I can honestly say that this year's standards are exceptional and in all categories. 'From groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs to excellence in constant improvement of everyday processes, our exporters are amazing!' This year's category finalists are: DHL Best Emerging Business – DownUnder Honey – Ellen Joan Ford – Fleet Line Markers – Mana Pacific Consultants – Mufftech – Powa Products International Ltd Gallagher Insurance Best Established Business – Biophive – ITL – IPU New Zealand – Noske Rail – NZP (an ICE Pharma Company) – OBO CentrePort Excellence in Innovation – NovaLabs – Proliant Health & Biologicals – Sharesies – The Village Goldsmith Business Central Excellence in Sustainability – NZP (an ICE Pharma Company) – Fleet Line Markers – BioLumic All category winners are also eligible for the supreme award, ASB Exporter of the Year. In 2024, Wellington's Lane Street Studios received both Best Emerging Business and the supreme award. Lane Street Studios CEO Kirsty Grant says: 'Being recognised as Best Emerging Business and overall Exporter of the Year in 2024 was a significant achievement for myself and the team. We have all worked extremely hard to get our business established after building during covid and the myriad of challenges that impacted our industry. 'As our business is considered to be a weightless export, receiving the recognition of these awards was also an acknowledgement of the substantial contribution our sector makes to the NZ economy – with so much more potential for growth. 'We are very excited for future exporters to also be recognised for their work in supporting and further developing crucial trade relationships for NZ. Bring on the 2025 awards,' Grant said. Gala Dinner and Winners Announcement The winners in each category will be revealed during the upcoming Gala Dinner on June 6, at the Palmerston North Conference and Function Centre. Tickets for the event are available for purchase here: About the ExportNZ ASB Central Region Export Awards: The ExportNZ ASB Central Region Export Awards recognise and honour the remarkable work of Wellington exporters, showcasing their contributions to New Zealand's global reputation. Now in its 9th year, the awards provide a vital role in celebrating success and fostering growth in the export sector.
