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Key Points

Former Trinamool Congress MP Jawhar Sircar has launched a serious investigation into the drastic reduction of animals at Kolkata's Alipore Zoo. The zoo's animal population has mysteriously dropped from 1,872 to just 351 within a year, raising concerns about potential theft or smuggling. A high court petition has been filed by a voluntary organization seeking a thorough investigation into these unexplained disappearances. Sircar is demanding complete transparency from the West Bengal government about the zoo's current status and the proposed land auction.

Key Points: Jawhar Sircar Exposes Alipore Zoo Animal Vanishing Scandal

  • Former Trinamool MP raises alarm over dramatic animal population drop
  • Alipore Zoo's animal count plummets from 1872 to 351 in a year
  • High Court petition seeks investigation into mysterious animal disappearance
  • HIDCO plans controversial land auction near zoological garden
3 min read

Former Trinamool MP demands clarification from Mamata Banerjee over vanishing of animals from India's oldest zoo

Former Trinamool MP Jawhar Sircar reveals shocking decline in Kolkata's oldest zoo, questioning animal disappearance and land auction.

"What is happening at Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata? Is it being stolen or smuggled? - Jawhar Sircar"

Kolkata, July 24

Former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Jawhar Sircar, who parted ways with the party last year over differences on the R.G. Kar rape & murder issue, on Thursday, sought clarifications from the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on vanishing animals from Kolkata's iconic zoological garden, which also happens to be the oldest zoological garden of the country.

He also launched a scathing attack against the West Bengal government, accusing the latter of putting up for auction a portion of the said zoological garden located at Alipore in South Kolkata.

"What is happening at Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata? According to their own calculations, the number of animals and birds has halved in a year. In 1996, there were 1872 animals; now there are 351! In other words, is it being stolen or smuggled?" Sircar raised this question in a social media post that he made on Thursday.

Incidentally, a petition has been filed at the Calcutta High Court by a city-based voluntary organisation, Swazon, seeking an investigation into the alleged overnight disappearance of over 300 animals from the records of Alipore Zoological Garden in a year, which is the oldest zoo in the country.

It has been claimed in the petition that the number of animals in the zoo was 672 at the end of the financial year of 2023-24, and it came down to 351 by the beginning of 2024-25.

The voluntary organisation also claimed that the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) last month posted an e-tender inviting bids for the auction of a piece of land on 34A, Belvedere Road, Alipore, for commercial use.

Sircar, who is a former India Administrative Service (IAS) officer, also claimed in this post that instead of improving the condition of the zoo, the state government was going to auction a large piece of land belonging to it.

"There is a veterinary hospital and many important buildings here. This land is said to be sold for a privately owned marine park. That's great, but why here? In whose interest is this?" Sircar questioned.

He further demanded transparency over the matter as the development appeared confusing. "I also want to know the exact number of animals and birds and what is being done to improve the zoo," he added.

So far, neither the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) nor the West Bengal Zoo Authority (WBZA) has issued any public statement or filed any report to address these discrepancies.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
As a Kolkata resident, I've noticed the zoo's declining condition for years. But selling land for commercial use? This is unacceptable! We need proper audits and transparency.
A
Arjun K
While I support development, destroying our oldest zoo for a marine park makes no sense. There must be better locations available in Kolkata. This reeks of corruption!
P
Priya S
My childhood memories are attached to this zoo. So sad to see its condition today 😢 Where are the animal lovers and activists? Why is no one protesting this?
D
David E
As an expat living in Kolkata, I'm appalled by this news. The zoo is an important tourist attraction. The government should focus on improving facilities rather than selling land.
V
Vikram M
The numbers don't add up. Either there's massive mismanagement or something fishy is going on. High Court should order a CBI investigation into this matter immediately.
N
Nisha Z
While I appreciate Jawhar Sircar raising this issue, why didn't he speak up when he was part of the government? This seems like political opportunism rather than genuine concern.

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