National Park initiative: You can adopt an animal for a year

The proposal of adopting captive wild animals in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) r the Borivli National Park which has been in the pipeline since 2010, is likely to get clearance within a month as the authorities have finally forwarded the proposal to the state government for approval.

A keeper bathes a tiger at the SGNP. File pic

Confirming the development, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) and SGNP Director Sunil Limaye said, "We have already sent a proposal regarding adoption of captive wild animals from SGNP to the state for approval. We are confident that we will get the clearance soon. And if every thing goes well, then by October, wildlife lovers will be able to adopt the captive animals."

The proposal would need clearance from Nagpur-based Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife division), the authority for approving such projects. As per the proposal, about 50 to 60 animals would be up for adoption for a period of one year. The money raised through adoption scheme would be spent on the animal's food, maintenance of enclosure and its medical treatment for an entire year. The animals that would be put up for adoption include four lions, nine tigers, 24 leopards, blue bulls (neelgais) and a few spotted deer (chitals).

"Once every month, the adoptee and his family will be allowed to visit the animal. The cost has been calculated on the basis of the amount spent on each of the animals. In addition a plaque bearing the adaptor's name will be displayed around the enclosure of the animal he or she has adopted," a forest department official said. While the officials refused to disclose the exact amount mentioned in the new proposal, it is believed that it may vary from what was originally proposed way back in 2010. An official said the new amounts would also take inflation into consideration.

Adopt a tree
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) recently initiated a programme wherein people would be able to adopt a tree at its Conservation Education Centre (CEC) reserve in Goregaon (E) to mark the reserves 20th anniversary.

Those who adopt a tree at the BHNS nature reserve would receive a mail from the BNHS comprising a photo of the tree with seasonal updates for the first five years after adoption. The 33-acre reserve has over 125 indigenous tree species that can be adopted by paying a one time fee of Rs 10,000. The trees up for adoption include Asan, Teak, Kusum, Red Silk Cotton, Bonfire, Elephant Apple, Kalamb, Grewai and Tetu.