Planning a trip to Byculla Zoo? Leave those plastic bags and single-use water bottles at home; entry is a no-go if you`re caught with plastic. The Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, or Byculla Zoo, has just been declared a `no plastic zone` following a directive from the Central Zoo Authority. The authorities are cracking down, banning single-use plastic and thoroughly checking visitors at the entrance. Anyone caught littering or using single-use plastic inside the zoo premises will face a fine of Rs 500.

Dr Sanjay Tripathi, director of the zoo, announced strict measures to address the issue of visitors littering plastic waste in the zoo. “Entrances will now include frisking, and fines will be imposed on violators caught leaving plastic on the premises,” he added. “We`ve always stressed the importance of avoiding plastic within the zoo premises. However, in response to the recent CZA directive, we’ve implemented more stringent measures. While we’ve issued warnings of fines to those caught littering or using single-use plastic in the zoo, our primary focus is on prevention rather than penalties. Visitors carrying plastic bottles, bags, or other single-use plastic items will be denied entry. Additionally, glass water bottles will be introduced at the zoo cafe.”