Context: Marking the celebration of Wildlife Week 2020 Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, congratulated the country for the diverse wildlife.
The announcement

• Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that the government is working towards the upgradation and development of 160 Zoos in Public Private Partnership (PPP) across the country to encourage interaction between wildlife and humans, and help people observe and understand wildlife behaviour more closely.
• He informed that policy for up gradation and development of all the zoos in the country is underway and will be taken up during the upcoming budget.
• The state governments, corporations, businesses and people will all be key elements of the plan.
• It will help give enhanced experience to the visitors especially the students and children and the future generation in order to nurture the connect between wildlife, nature and humans.

Other announcements

• The Minister also launched a report (e-report) of the CZA-TERI titled “Economic valuation of ecosystem services, National Zoological Park, New Delhi ‘.
• The report highlights the importance of habitats such as zoos to human wellbeing and the need of replication across India.
• The study first of its kind in India and perhaps the entire World, pegs the total annual economic value of the ecosystem services (biodiversity conservation, employment generation, carbon sequestration, education and research, recreational and cultural) at around 423 crores (2019-20).
• The total value of the one-time cost of services such as carbon storage and land value provided by the zoo is estimated to be around 55,000 crores.
• The Minister also gave away the CZA-Prani Mitra awards to encourage the zoo officers and staff towards working for captive animal management and welfare.
• The awards were given in four categories viz. the Outstanding Director / Curator, Outstanding Veterinarian, Outstanding Biologist /Educationist, Outstanding Biologist /Educationist and Outstanding Animal keeper.
• The Minister, during the virtual interaction, also addressed questions of school children from across the country, concerning wildlife protection and human-wildlife interaction.
• He stated that we must all work together to protect the valuable wildlife of the country.

Central Zoo Authority (CZA)

• CZA which was established to oversee the functioning of Indian zoos and complement the wildlife conservation strategies through ex-situ measures.
• Today, it recognizes around 160 zoo and rescue centers that enforce global standards in animal housing and welfare.
• Over 567 captive animal species (with 114 species under endangered category) with overall 56481 individual animals are currently housed in Indian zoos.
• Every Zoo in the country is required to obtain recognition from the Authority for its operation.
• Its role is more of a facilitator than a regulator. It provides technical and financial assistance to zoos which have the potential to attain the desired standard in animal management.
• CZA also regulates the exchange of animals of endangered category list under Schedule – I and II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.