The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi Zoo gets Trade Fair rush

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 22, 2007
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New Delhi

Delhi Zoo gets Trade Fair rush

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Number of visitors has shot up to around 10,000 per day

Around 25 extra personnel for security and upkeep of the complex brought in
Additional ticket counters opened; security doubled at vulnerable animal enclosures

Photo: V.V. Krishnan

Ready...cheese…click: A Lion Tailed Macaque at Delhi Zoo on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: The huge crowds at the ongoing India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Pragati Maidan here have also set the cash registers ringing at the nearby Delhi Zoo. The zoo authorities have been forced to deploy more personnel and put in place measures to ensure that its inmates are not disturbed by the unprecedented rush of visitors.

On an average, the zoo gets 2,000 to 3,000 visitors each day.

According to the authorities, the numbers have now shot up to 8,000 to 10,000 visitors. Though November to February are visitor-heavy months, “with the IITF on we have to cater to the additional visitors who come in not only from Delhi but also from nearby areas,” said zoo veterinary surgeon Paneer Selvam.

The zoo has brought in 20 to 25 extra personnel for security and contract workers for the upkeep of the complex.

Additional ticket counters have also been opened to take care of the crowds.

“We have also identified vulnerable animal enclosures where security has been doubled to ensure that people do not indulge in behaviour than can be harmful to them or the animals. The zoo staff has been provided with nameplates for easy identification. This will help us keep a check on our staff and visitors too can also ask for help from these authorised service providers,” said Dr. Selvam, adding that introduction of closed-circuit television had also helped in crowd management.

“We are, however, gearing up to tackle the heavy rush that we will witness during the last week of the trade fair. The crowds are maximum during this period. We also have a lot of school children coming in and they need special care,” said Dr. Selvam.

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