Gujarat CM directs speedy clearance for four Asiatic lions from Junagadh to Byculla zoo

Asiatic lions may soon arrive at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo in Byculla, Mumbai, popularly known as the Byculla zoo or Rani Baug. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed officials to complete the process of exchanging animals between the two zoos quickly.

The direction came after Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde met Patel at his official residence in Gandhinagar on Wednesday. At the meeting, Tawde sought Gujarat's approval for the proposed transfer of Asiatic lions to the Mumbai zoo.

After the meeting, Patel told the Gujarat administration to complete the necessary formalities as soon as possible. He also said help should be given in preparing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden in Junagadh and the Mumbai zoo. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) expects to receive the Gujarat government's formal letter of approval and the draft MoU soon.

Mayor Tawde also met Gujarat's Minister of State for Forests, Pravinkumar Mali, in Gandhinagar. She asked him to direct the forest department to cooperate in sending the lions to Mumbai soon. Mali accepted the mayor's request and issued instructions to the forest department's principal secretary to begin the necessary action.

Under the proposal, Sakkarbaug zoo in Junagadh will give the Mumbai zoo two pairs of Asiatic lions, that is, two males and two females. In return, the Mumbai zoo will send three pairs of tufted capuchin monkeys to the Gujarat zoo. Both zoos have already agreed to the exchange.

On preparations, an enclosure of international standard for Asiatic lions has already been built at Rani Baug. It has been made in line with the last approved master layout plan of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in New Delhi. It is hoped the exchange will strengthen cooperation between Maharashtra and Gujarat in wildlife conservation. The BMC has called it a Diwali gift for Mumbai and credited Mayor Ritu Tawde's efforts for securing Gujarat's approval.

In another development concerning the zoo, BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide had told officials in September that the tunnel aquarium work under way at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo in Byculla should be completed by January 2027. During a visit to the zoo, Bhide inspected the construction of the tunnel aquarium and reviewed other projects and initiatives there.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr Avinash Dhakne, Deputy Commissioner (Gardens) Ajitkumar Ambi, zoo director Dr Sanjay Tripathi, garden superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi and other officials and staff were present during the inspection. Bhide also saw a hibiscus exhibition at the zoo, which displayed about 50 varieties of hibiscus plants with flowers of different colours in bloom.