Relocate Thiruvananthapuram Zoo: Chinchurani

Former Zoological Gardens Minister J. Chinchurani called for the move of the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo to be abandoned. She said the facility is part of the history and heritage of the state capital. It also provides people, especially children, with an opportunity to get to know wild animals and nature up close. It is also a popular spot among visitors to the city. His transfer would be against public interest, the statement quoted the former minister as saying.

A scientific modification was needed to provide the zoo with modern facilities and to ensure the safety and welfare of the animals. Should there be space limitations or a lack of basic infrastructure, systems should be prepared to address them. Instead of shifting the existing facility elsewhere, the government should prioritize developing a zoo with the latest facilities, she said. In a statement, the minister pointed out that the zoo is not just a place to exhibit animals. It was an educational center for new generations to understand nature and wildlife. It should be protected to preserve its historical and educational significance, Ms Chinchurani said.

A comprehensive restoration plan should be prepared with full use of previously implemented projects for the development of the zoo and the resulting infrastructure, as well as with obtaining the opinion of experts. The development should be adapted to the animals’ natural environment and ensure the best possible comfort for visitors. There have been reports that moving the zoo into forests inhabited by wildlife would lead to the transmission of zoonotic diseases and threaten wildlife populations. This is also why, according to her, the government should abandon the relocation proposal.

Published – 25 September 2026 19:00 IST