Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav chairs 44th Meeting of Central Zoo Authority at Bhopal

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, on Saturday chaired the 44th Meeting of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) held at the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.

Key achievements of the CZA during the current financial year 2025-26 and strategic priorities for the year 2026-27 were presented before the governing body of Central Zoo Authority. Also, a status report was presented before the Central Zoo Authority regarding the establishment of the NRC-W in Junagadh and its regional centers.

Further, the annual calendar for observance of important days was presented aimed to inspire amongst zoo visitors’ empathy for wild animals, an understanding and awareness about the need for conservation of natural resources and for maintaining the ecological balance.

Subsequently, agenda items placed for consideration were deliberated. On the occasion, significant decisions taken in the meeting were as mentioned below:

• Target has been set to conduct the second cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of large and medium category zoos by the end of May 2026. This exercise is an evidence based, comprehensive, holistic and independent exercise encouraging maintenance of highest standards in zoos across the country.
• Scope of the Committee constituted to examine and report on potential of CSR contribution for zoos has been expanded and sought recommendations regarding identification of prominent personalities who can be connected with promotion of zoos, ex-situ conservation and conservation education to the youth and self-sustainability of zoos.
• Collaboration with the ZSI and institutions in the NIRANTAR vertical that includes CZA, to be explored to promote zoos, ex-situ conservation and conservation education.
• To solicit suggestions from Members of Parliament with a recognized zoo located in the respective Parliament constituency with respect to strengthening of the zoo to achieve various objectives envisaged in the National Zoo Policy.
• Schools that have organized visits to zoos by their students to be identified and to request management of such schools to organize a class exclusively to seek collective suggestions for strengthening zoos.