Byculla Zoo’s plastic ban: Trouble looms for unprepared visitors!

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."

Abhishek Satam, the zoo biologist, said, "Regular announcements are made at the ticket booths. Besides, we're spreading this message and updating on social media to create awareness about the change. Although we previously had restrictions on plastic at the zoo, visitor checks weren't stringent. Directives from the CZA following the Swachhta Pakhwada in October prompted us to enhance our measures."

As part of the transformation into a ‘no plastic zone', the zoo authorities have undertaken several initiatives. On the occasion of the 161st foundation day of the zoo in November this year, NGO Project Mumbai, dedicated to curbing plastic pollution, donated benches made from recycled plastic. Additionally, the zoo installed three plastic collection and crushing machines at various points on its premises on Tuesday, funded by CSR.

According to officials from the CZA (A statutory body of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change), transforming into a 'no plastic zone' is mandatory for all zoos in the country. They mentioned that 45 zoos have already gone single-use plastic-free, marking just the beginning of this initiative.

Speaking to mid-day, Dr Sanjay Kumar Shukla, member secretary of the Central Zoo Authority, highlighted their consistent emphasis on these guidelines. "During this year's World Environment Day and Swachchta Pakhwada, we reiterated these directives, mandating all zoos to transition into plastic-free zones. Zoos are expected to lead by example, banning single-use plastics not only for visitors but also within offices and cafes on the premises. Notably, Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar implemented a unique approach, placing stickers on plastic bottles carried by visitors and imposing fines. Visitors showing the bottle with stickers on the way back receive a refund. Similar initiatives are underway in zoos across the country."

Rs 500
Fine to be collected for the violation