Chinchurani Urges Government to Drop Thiruvananthapuram Zoo Relocation Plan

Former Minister for Zoos J. Chinchurani has urged the government to abandon the proposal to relocate the Thiruvananthapuram zoo, arguing that the facility is part of the State capital's history and heritage.

In a statement, Ms. Chinchurani said the zoo offers the public, particularly children, a chance to observe wild animals and nature at close quarters, and remains a popular destination for visitors to the city. Moving it elsewhere would go against public interest, she said.

Instead of shifting the existing facility, the former Minister called for a scientific makeover that would provide modern amenities while safeguarding the safety and welfare of the animals. Where space constraints or gaps in basic infrastructure exist, schemes should be drawn up to address them, she said.

Ms. Chinchurani stressed that the zoo was not merely a place to exhibit animals but a learning centre that helps younger generations understand nature and wildlife. It should therefore be protected for its historical and educational value, she added.

She suggested that a comprehensive renovation plan be prepared by drawing on infrastructure created through earlier zoo development projects and by consulting experts. Such development, she said, should suit the animals' natural environment while ensuring the best amenities for visitors.

Citing reports that shifting the zoo to forests inhabited by wildlife could lead to the transmission of zoonotic diseases and threaten wild populations, the former Minister said this was another reason for the government to drop the relocation proposal.