The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Security measures stepped up in zoo

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 05, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Security measures stepped up in zoo

Zoo authorities resolve to install metal detectors

- Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

Safety MEASURES: A guard frisking a visitor as part of the beefed up security in the Nehru Zoological Park on Tuesday.

HYDERABAD: In the wake of recent bomb blasts at Gokul Chat and Lumbini Park in city, the Nehru Zoological Park has stepped up security measures and is in the process of installing metal detectors.

Spread over nearly 380 acres, the zoo is a major attraction for both local visitors and tourists from outside, who throng in large numbers every day. Even during a lean season such as now, the daily attendance is anywhere between 10,000 to 12,000 visitors while it rises considerably during peak season of holidays and summer vacation for schools.

Metal detectors

Immediately after the twin bomb blasts that shook the city on August 25, the zoo authorities resolved to install metal detectors as a security measure and a formal administrative approval is awaited from the government.

“The detectors will be set up at the main entrance and service gates. We expect the facility to be in place shortly,” said Zoo curator A. Sudhakar.

The main entrance already has electronic gate system and metal detectors are seen as an enhancement of the existing security apparatus. Officials are also working on installation of surveillance cameras in the sprawling premises for better monitoring of visitors and a decision is likely to be taken soon.

Security tightened

Already the security at the main entrance has been tightened with frisking of visitors and checking their bags. Women security personnel were also posted to check female visitors. Mobiles too are being examined before being allowed inside.

After the Sakhi episode some six years back in which the tigress was killed and skinned in its cage itself, zoo authorities have assigned the security services to a private agency.

About 36 personnel are deployed round the clock in three shifts to cover the zoo and patrol the peripheries. This apart, the zoo has its own watch and ward staff.

“All the staff and contract workers have been issued identity passes and a movement register is being maintained to keep a tab on them. Since the zoo is visited by scores of people all the year round we are taking all possible security measures,” said Mr. Sudhakar.

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