The Lost
Bagh "Rani Bagh" Hyderabad Zoo
Bilal Junejo.
MA Previous
Roll No: 15
There are three things we cry for in life: Things that are
lost things that are found and things that are magnificient.
Rani Bagh the "Queens Garden" this Garden was
re-christened in the honour of Queen Victoria. There was a time when the Lions
used to roar from their cages and that thundering jolting roars were heard in
the vicinity of the Zoo and people used to run towards that cage from where the
thunderous roars used to come, the Black Bear and Grizzly Bears used to Grumble
and Growl, Monkeys of different Species like Chimpanzee, Apes, Walvet Monkeys,
Baboons used to chatter, gibber, whoop and screech childrens used to laugh and enjoy
while watching them it was a golden time for the residents of Hyderabad.
Families from Latifabad and Qasimabad used to came there in majority on
weekends it was a jam packed house not less then any Festival. Back in November
2008 Hyderabad Zoo was reconstructed and renovated on the orders of then
District Nazim of Hyderabad Mr. Kunwar Naveed Jamil it was inaugurated and
Animals from Africa and other Countries were kept there and it wss a golden
period of Hyderabad Zoo which i mentioned earlier. Hyderabad Zoo at that time
was talk of the town according to the reports of Dawn (2006) the estimate was
of RS: 50 Millions for the development of Zoo but later on it had to raise the
amount to RS: 60 millions after going through Planning and Tendering. The estimate
totalled to be RS: 72 Millions after the District Government added to it the
additional cost of RS: 15 Millions was spent on purchase of animals.
Mr. Aftab Ilyas Memon who used to be incharge of the animals
in the zoo said due to lack of Town Municipal Administration (TMA) and District
Government the funds were not invested properly, till some years the response
from the government officials was excellent but then a time came after the
local government system was abolished no one cared for the Zoo he further added
that today this Zoo is in its worst condition i am working here since 15 years
and today we are having only 28 cages with animals in it majority of the cages
are empty this is because lack of attention of the Administration, proper
shelter not provided to the animals in cold and hot weather, unhygienic and
proper food was not provided to the animals, health issues of animals
maintaining and cleaning of cages were not done and medical issues of the
animals due to these reasons Rani Bagh is in this condition.
A 53 years old Gardner who is working and cuts the grass in
the Zoo said i am working here sice 2005 and trust me my heart cries while
observing the current situation of Rani Bagh he said there were Parks inside
the Zoo where families used to sit and eat snacks families used to came here
for picnic as well but today the numbers have gone down at that time this Zoo
was the only place in Hyderabad for family entertainment now it is vanished
bacause of the new mega projects have opened in Hyderabad and People show less
interest to visit here nowadays, further he added many animals from different
Countries were kept in pairs (male and female) hence one died due to any reason
the other one also died within short time span due to lonliness.
At present there are only few animals left in the Zoo which
includes Fellow Deers, Ostrich, Monkeys, Crocodiles, Pigeons, Wild Cats,
Parrots, Zebra, Pony Horse, Ducks and Goats. Is this what we call a Zoo? Not at
all it was the only cheap affordable and entertaining place which has now
vanished completely. Proper attention should have been given to this Zoo so it
would have not been in this disastrous condition. Now basically the problem is
of powers City Government, Sindh Government and Federal Government who will
take steps to reconstruct it? Mayor of Hyderabad Comissioner Hyderabad or
Minister of Local Government same again power politics blame game and problems
of funds will continue and it would be a miracle if Hyderabad Zoo will again be
the same as it was 10 years or 7 years back.
"All the prisoners are not guilty, but they cant do
anything about it, After all it is a zoo"
The practical work is carried under supervision of Sohail Sangi,
at Media and Communication Department, University of Sindh
