Wildlife Department officers will be sent to Europe for capacity-building :The Provincial Ministers

Lahore: A 12-member committee constituted by Chief Minister Punjab and headed by Provincial Minister for Forests & Wildlife Malik Muhammad Asif Bha Awan and Minister for Zakat & Usher Malik Nadeem Kamran gave approval to a comprehensive project of constructing new cages for animals, staff colony, amusement park, provision of more facilities for visitors, sending officers of Wildlife Department abroad for training for their capacity-building, purchasing new animals and completing pair of
animals in Lahore Zoo which will cost 322 million rupees.

This was decided at a special meeting held at Lahore Zoo Safari Park, here today. Member National Assembly Afzal Khokhar, Member Provincial Assembly Saira Iftikhar, Vice Chancellor University of Animal Sciences Prof. Talat Naseer Pasha, Director General Wildlife & Parks Punjab Khalid Ayaz Khan, Deputy Managing Director Tourism Development Corporation Punjab, Chief Game Warden Punjab Shahrukh Butt, private wildlife expert Khan Muhammad Khan, Director Lahore Zoo Shafqat Ali, Deputy Director Safari Zoo Park Lahore Syed Zafar ul Hassan and other members attended the
meeting.

The Provincial Ministers said that the officers of Wildlife Department will be sent Europe, England and South Asian countries for training for their capacity-building. He said that these officers will get audio, video, pictorial evidences and witness the existing facilities in zoos of foreign countries and after reviewing all facilities being provided to tourists, looking after animals, provision of food and other
matters will submit a detailed report.

They said that these officers after completing training will also impart training to Wildlife officers as
master-trainers. The meeting was told that after final approval by Chief Minister, this amount will be incurred on construction of amusement park,walkways, new cages, art work, staff colony, provision of more facilities to tourists and purchasing new animals and completing pair of animals. A report was presented in the meeting for setting up of zoo at Sahiwal and concerned DCO has promised to provide 25 to 50 acres of land and revenue record is being checked in this regard.

Director General Wildlife Khalid Ayaz Khan informed the meeting that instructions have been issued to all DCOs for setting up of zoos and wildlife parks at divisional and district level respectively and
they have requested two week period for identifying the land.

Regarding the quality of food provided to animals and birds, the meeting was informed that District Food Authority has been requested to appoint its representatives at zoos and safari parks to check the quality of food.
Director Lahore Zoo Shafqat Ali while giving representation told that a comprehensive plan has been evolved for provision of  facilities to visitors in the zoo, art work, landscaping and setting up of souvenir
shops.

Meanwhile, Provincial Ministers and committee members also visited Lahore Safari Zoo Park and gave proposals for improving facilities for visitors and maintenance of cleanliness.