Setting up of Zoos on Forest Land Considered as Forest Activity

The ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) has announced that the setting up of zoos on forest land will be considered a forest activity, diluting the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) 1989. Hence, it will stay away from FCA provisions.

A project near Tadoba, Maharashtra that is spread over 210 hectares including a jungle safari, s transit treatment centre and a rescue centre will fall under this category. The Cheetah project in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno will also benefit.

Communicating to the states on June 8, 2022 MoEFCC declared that the development of zoos on forest lands with diverse components including public utility facilities, ought to be treated as forestry activity.

As of now, CZA addressed that as no zoo is arranged, endorsed or developed without its earlier endorsement under severe adherence to its rules for Establishment and Scientific Management of Zoos, 2009, taking into account zoo as a non-forestry activity that has added numerous and covering layers of consents to be obtained under various organizations.