"Private Zoo in Dadar's Bold CZA Claim: Authorities Deny and Investigate"

 Private Zoo in Dadar Claims Recognition from CZA; Authority Denies, Initiates Probe

A sign at the privately-run Marine Aqua Zoo near Dadar’s Shivaji Park claims it is "Recognised by Central Zoo Authority." However, an RTI query by The Indian Express and an official statement from CZA revealed that the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has not issued any permission to the Dadar zoo. The CZA has started an investigation into its operations.

A team of forest department officials visited the zoo on Thursday for an investigation and seized some animals, according to a source close to the probe.

In the RTI response, the CZA confirmed that no approval has been issued to the Marine Aqua Zoo, also known as the Dadar Prani Sanghralaya.

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Shukla, member secretary of CZA, told The Indian Express, “The zoo has neither approached us nor have we given them any recognition. We received a complaint against the zoo and have asked the chief wildlife warden to investigate and report.”

Shukla mentioned that the first inquiry started in April 2023, after a complaint about illegal operations and poor animal care was received by the CZA. “We forwarded the complaint and requested a report from the Chief Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra, on April 10, 2024, and May 30, 2024. The reports are awaited,” Shukla said, adding that no action was taken between April and May.

Despite this, the zoo continued to operate commercially.

When it all began

The zoo, operational since 2022, came into the news in October 2023 when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) lodged a complaint after rescuing a baby crocodile from the nearby Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool. Following this incident, police and forest department launched a probe, leading to the zoo’s closure on October 5.

A few months later, the zoo reopened, with the manager claiming they housed nearly 200 exotic animals, including various fish species.

When The Indian Express visited the zoo a month ago, they saw several exotic species, including African ball python, baby anaconda, iguanas, and various fish and birds, kept in sub-standard cages. Some enclosures were empty, while others, with Argentine black and white tegu, were overcrowded.

The zoo charges a Rs 20 entry fee and additional fees for visitors wanting photographs with animals or birds. “For holding a small snake, the charge is Rs 100, for a bigger snake or iguana, the charge is Rs 200. For holding a macaw, the charge is Rs 300,” a worker said.

Dr. Sanjay Tripathi, director of the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Vanaspati Udyan and Zoo (Mumbai Zoo), said, “Only the CZA can permit a zoo to operate or be established. This authority was established through an amendment in the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and has existed since 1992, for recognizing and monitoring Indian zoos.”

Mumbai has only two CZA-approved zoos — Mumbai Zoo and a part of SNGP, including the lion and tiger safari.

The guidelines

The CZA has comprehensive guidelines for zoo management. The authority evaluates zoos, facilities, and compliance with these guidelines.

“The CZA stipulates diets for animals, requires adequate veterinary doctors and lab diagnostic facilities. There’s a complete list of guidelines on animal collection, health record maintenance, and infrastructure. Even the designs of animal exhibits need CZA approval,” Tripathi said.

While the CZA oversees Indian zoos, the chief wildlife warden — the state’s head of wildlife — issues recommendations and NOCs for introducing exotic species.

Pawan Sharma, honorary wildlife warden and member of the committee to monitor animal welfare laws in Maharashtra, who was part of previous inspections at the Dadar zoo, said the facility lacked several documents, including CZA/SZA certificates, NOC from the chief wildlife warden, and Parivesh certification for several species. Some Parivesh certifications were in different individuals' names from other states.

“It was also found that the animal cages and enclosures lacked the required enrichment. The zoo’s maintenance and operations did not comply with CZA guidelines, nor did the animal records and health registers,” Sharma said, referring to inspections in April 2024.

Despite the zoo’s commercial operation allowing visitors to hold and photograph exotic animals, Sharma said it lacked a PARR certificate (Performing Animals Registration Rules, 2002), which is required for such activities.

When contacted, Yuvraj Moghe, the zoo’s proprietor, refused to comment. Amaan Khan, head of the zoo's management, said, “A Supreme Court order in 1983 mentions that the area is recognized by the CZA. We have all the papers. We operate in the heart of Shivaji Park. If we were doing something wrong, we wouldn’t be operating until now.”

Khan added that they don’t have any Indian species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and that they only house exotic species, all registered on the Parivesh portal. “Once we get approved by CZA, we may expand,” he said.

However, senior forest department officials said that after a 2023 amendment, even exotic animals are now protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The norms outline guidelines for procuring exotic animals.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Maheep Gupta told The Indian Express, “To obtain exotic animals, the norms require proper ownership and import certificates. For animals covered under CITES — an international treaty for endangered animals, an NOC from the country of origin is required. Permissions are granted only after approval from both the country of origin and our country through the PCCF.”

Regarding the exotic animals at the Dadar facility, Gupta said, “We will inform local officials to check the zoo, examine the animals, and conduct a thorough inquiry. If unauthorized animals are found, we will shut the zoo.”

On Thursday, after the CZA called for a report from the Chief Wildlife Warden of Maharashtra, forest department officials started an investigation.

Earlier troubles

The facility faced scrutiny in early 2023 when proprietors were found with species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) schedules, such as soft-shell turtles and plum-headed parakeets.

In October 2023, the BMC demolished six unauthorized structures on the premises after the zoo failed to remove them within 15 days.

On May 3, Ajit Kumar Ambi, assistant municipal commissioner, told The Indian Express, “We plan to create a Bhagoji Keer Sanghralaya Smruti Smarak — a memorial for Bhagoji Keer, on the land where the zoo is located. However, there is a litigation matter pending in the High Court. The BMC’s plan is to create a memorial here.”

Khan said the zoo aims to educate visitors. “Unlike Mumbai Zoo, where visitors read descriptive boards, we provide personalized information about exotic species,” the Dadar zoo manager said.