BAHAWALPUR ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN - THE HOUSE OF FUNK, DIRT & CONTAMINATION

 OUT&ABOUT

BY :- LADY BLUE 

 

BAHAWALPUR ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN - THE HOUSE OF FUNK, DIRT & CONTAMINATION

PATHETIC CONDITION OF SPRAWLING RESORT  OF   BAHAWALPUR CITY.  THE ONLY ENTERTAINMENT OF SOUTHERN PUNJAB IS ON THE VERGE OF DESTRUCTION.

WHAT  ABOUT      ZOO     WITHOUT ELEPHANT  -  A THOUSAND UNSPOKEN WORDS. 

The zoo of Bahawalpur was established in 1942,  on huge area of 25 Acres with unlimited funds  provided by the Nawab of Bahawalpur ., which was glorious gift by the Nawab of Bahawalpur., Estate for the sake of affordable amusement for people of local residents as well as surroundings, which was the symbol of glorious past of Princely Estate of Bahawalpur.

But presently the zoo is surviving on limited funds & remains reliant on the Pakistani Government to meet its expenses, which is why,  it remains overlooked and in a state of desperate neglect.  It is unfortunate but due to a serious lack of funds, the zoo has been unable to hire proper zoo personnel to look after the zoo and it's inhabitants.

The zoological garden of Bahawalpur not only a place of enjoyment for elders , teenagers, women and children but  is the only recreational  spot for southern Punjab's people in holidays especially for children in Summer & Winter Vacations. The Zoo of Bahawalpur is  special and different from all others in Pakistan in terms of the procreation of the lions, besides this Bahawalpur zoo holds the pride of the procreation of Bengali Tigers, Dapple Tigers  and Black Bear for the first time in Pakistan.  This zoo is the 4th biggest Zoo in Pakistan after Lahore,  Karachi and Islamabad.

But now the scenario has been changed, this sprawling resort has completely ignored & destroyed by the authorities rather our own hands.  I am in deep shocked and scattered to share some heart touching open facts  with you dear readers that there is "NO ELEPHANT" herein since last two  (02) decades who is main attraction of zoo and provide lots of fun and amusement by it's   giant structure, people  take ride of elephant and  feel happy by friendly nature of elephants.

It is observed very painfully that due to lack of interest of authorities there is no induction of  new birds & animals.  After the death of Chimpanzee, no sincere efforts seen to bring other Chimpanzees for the entertainment of people.

Once upon a time there was a Museum in the zoo was exists, which was very impressive in its nature, therein mummified animals of zoo were placed and also there was a beautiful Aquarium exists for the entertainment of people in which beautiful and rare breed fishes were exists.  A beautiful fish pond was the beautification of zoo for aquatic animals in which different kind of fishes were kept including Star Fish. The Bahawalpur zoo had also different type of Dragons, but now these all are the past stories and no existence of described  history.

Now let's have a quick glance of present worst condition of zoo's other  internal affairs.

To begin with, there was a general disregard for cleanliness both inside & outside the animals exhibits.  Wrappers floated in the stagnant water of grounds overall in the zoo,  in fact poor level of performance at every department of zoo, there is stench in the enclosures of animals and cages of birds, mess every where scattered in the grounds, in the cages and sitting places.  The different grounds of the zoo are dry and secluded because of carelessness, enclosures of animals & cages of birds are being broken & Rusty.

In this context recently Commissioner Bahawalpur Division H'able Capt. Rtd. Saqib Zafar has formed a Management Committee for the betterment of Zoo affairs but unfortunately this committee is like nothing because the members of Management Committee are not representatives of the communities who play an active role in the development & beautification of Bahawalpur city.

At last for the betterment & prosperity of Zoological garden, some of my humble submissions / suggestions are as under,,  if considered:- 

1. In the Management Committee socially active people should be included. Obedient persons like "YES MAN" must be removed.
2. Independent Body of zoo should be formed like LAHORE ZOO.
3. The Gate Money of zoo have to be  incurred on zoo's developmental purpose rather spend on development works of UPPER PUNJAB.
4. The worn out, rusty and repairable cages should urgently be repaired or changed.
5. The employees of zoo must be motivated towards their duties. Lazy and dishonest staff  be punished and inquired about.
6. Veterinary doctor who have very much important role in the zoo,  but present Veterinary doctor is not dutiful  & hardworking,  honest Veterinary doctor should be appointed and Curator of the zoo should be strictly inquired about his duties.
7. The cleanliness management have to be better.

In the end I would like to request to Mr.Commissioner who is also chairman of Management Committee of the zoo and he is also a thorough gentleman, hardworking & honest official, he should make the Bahawalpur zoo a MODEL ZOO by taking his personal interest,  strong & effective decisions to improve the internal affairs and for the people who visit this place for obtaining better & affordable enjoyment.