Thiruvananthapuram Mayor backs zoo relocation, says shifting Poojappura Central Jail should also be considered

Thiruvananthapuram: Discussions are underway following Chief Minister VD Satheesan’s suggestion that the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo be relocated from the heart of the city. Several prominent figures and others have come forward, either supporting or criticising the proposal. Thiruvananthapuram Mayor VV Rajesh said he agreed with the Chief Minister’s view on the matter.

“A zoo located within the city is harmful to the habitat of rare species. Animals are dying. When diseases spread among the animals, people living nearby become frightened. Residents in the area often speak about this fear,” the Mayor said. He added that people also live in fear when animals escape from the zoo.

At the same time, the Mayor said the government should consider relocating the Central Jail, currently situated in Poojappura. “The circumstances today are not the same as when the jail was established in Poojappura. The government should take an appropriate decision on this matter as well,” he said.

The Chief Minister put forward the idea of shifting the zoo from the city centre to a larger forested area at the Reimagining Round Table conference held in Thiruvananthapuram.

“A zoo in the middle of the city is cruelty towards animals. The busy roads around it and the Nishagandhi Auditorium at Kanakakkunnu, where public events are held, create noise pollution for the animals. Animals have their own habitats. Can’t we relocate the zoo to Neyyar or some other forested area?

“If we do that, the existing site can be transformed into a beautiful public square, like Madison Square in New York or Prague Square. This is the first time I am speaking publicly about a project that is not included in the budget,” the Chief Minister said.

Following his remarks, several people came forward both in support of and against the proposal.

CPM leader and former MLA VK Prasanth came out against the Chief Minister’s idea. He said attempts had been made in the past to relocate the zoo and museum, and alleged that the current effort was driven by commercial interests. He said it was necessary to question whether there was an attempt to hand over the land to business interests.