Borivli’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park has figured on the list of 196 recognised zoos and animal rescue centres in India.

The list, released by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) on Friday, includes 13 such zoos and centres across the state.

Also, the animal orphanage in Gadchiroli district run by social activist Baba Amte’s son, Prakash, has been accorded the status of Animal Rescue Centre.

The CZA, which had directed authorities of various zoos and rescue centres to meet stipulated norms to earn the status, found that only 196 fulfiled the set criteria.

Dr Prakash Amte and his wife, Mandakini, run an animal orphanage that houses leopards, boars, hyenas, deer, crocodiles, wild cats among other animals.

The Forest Department had, as per CZA directives, served notices to Amte’s orphanage for ‘illegally’ keeping wild animals. It had ordered relocation of the animals to adequate and authorised places.

“Now we have developed cages and other facilities for the animals as per CZA norms and we have been given the rescue centre status,” said Amte.

The couple was conferred the Ramon Magsaysay award for community leadership.

In Maharashtra, other zoos and animal rescue centres which have found a place on CZA’s list are Maharajbagh Zoo in Nagpur, Aurangabad Municipal Zoo, Leopard Rescue Centre in Manikdoh Pune and Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Centre in Pune.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/maharashtra/Special-zoo-authority-tag-for-Borivli-National-Park/Article1-493238.aspx