PRINCIPLES & CONCEPTS OF ZOO AND CAPTIVE WILD

Principles & Concepts of Zoo and Captive Wild Animals. Status of Forest in India.

1. PRINCIPLES & CONCEPTS OF ZOO AND CAPTIVE WILD ANIMALS. STATUS OF FOREST IN INDIA. SUBMITTED BY- EASTERI DEBBARM A M V S c . D e p a r tment of L i v e s t o ck P r o d u c t ion & Management

2. CONCEPT OF ZOO As per Wildlife Protection Act 1972 a zoo is “An establishment whether stationary or mobile where captive animals are kept for exhibition to public but does not include a circus or an establishment of a licensed dealer in captive animals.”

3. Zoo is the collection of number of wild animals in captivity and is an organized non-profit and stationary institution set by state governments in majority, local administrations, trustee bodies and registered scientific societies that own and maintain captive wild animals under the direction of professional staff and provide appropriate care for the purpose of conservation and breeding of different wild animal species especially in endangered wild animals

4. CONCEPT OF CAPTIVE WILD ANIMALS A wild animal kept and managed within enclosure by man e.g. wild animals exhibited in a zoo are called captive wild animals. Captive wild animals means any animal, specified in Schedule-I, Schedule-II, Schedule-III, or Schedule-IV of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which is captured or kept or bred in captivity.

5. PRINCIPLES OF ZOO & CAPTIVE WILD ANIMALS The principles of a zoo and captive wild animals revolve around conservation, education, research and recreation. These principles aim to ensure the welfare of animals, conservation of species and public awareness about wildlife. 1. Conservation : Zoos often play a crucial role in conservation efforts by participating in breeding programs for endangered species, conducting research on wildlife conservation, and supporting habitat preservation projects.

6. Zoos often support habitat conservation projects in the wild by providing funding, expertise, and resources to protect and restore natural habitats. This may include initiatives such as land acquisition, anti-poaching efforts, reforestation, and community-based conservation programs aimed at preserving ecosystems and biodiversity. 2. Education: Zoos serve as educational institutions, offering opportunities for visitors to learn about wildlife, biodiversity, conservation challenges, and the importance of protecting natural habitats. They may provide interpretive displays, guided tours, educational programs, and interactive exhibits to engage visitors of all ages.

7. 3 . Research : Many zoos engage in scientific research to advance knowledge about animal behavior, physiology, genetics, and conservation biology. This research contributes to species management, captive breeding programs, and conservation efforts in the wild. 4. Recreation : Zoos strive to provide enjoyable and educational experiences for visitors while also prioritizing the well-being of the animals. This includes designing exhibits that mimic natural habitats , offering interpretive signage, and providing opportunities for close encounters with animals while ensuring visitor and animal safety.

8. STATUS OF FOREST IN INDIA As per the India State of Forest Report 2021, the total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.9 million hectare which is 24.62 percent of the geographical area of the country. As compared to the assessment of 2019, there is an increase of 2,261 sq km in the total forest and tree cover of the country. Out of this, the increase in the forest cover has been observed as 1,540 sq km and that in tree cover is 721 sq km. Increase in forest cover has been observed in open forest followed by very dense forest. Top three states showing increase in forest cover are Andhra Pradesh (647 sq km) followed by Telangana (632 sq km) and Odisha (537 sq km).

9. Area-wise Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra. In terms of forest cover as percentage of total geographical area, the top five States are Mizoram (84.53%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76.00%), Manipur (74.34%) and Nagaland (73.90%). 17 states/UT’s have above 33 percent of the geographical area under forest cover. Out of these states and UT’s, five states/UTs namely Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have more than 75 percent forest cover while 12 states/UTs namely Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Goa, Kerala, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Assam, Odisha, have forest cover between 33 percent to 75 percent.

10. Total mangrove cover in the country is 4,992 sq km. An increase of 17 sq Km in mangrove cover has been observed as compared to the previous assessment of 2019. Top three states showing mangrove cover increase are Odisha (8 sq km) followed by Maharashtra (4 sq km) and Karnataka (3 sq km). Total carbon stock in country’s forest is estimated to be 7,204 million tonnes and there an increase of 79.4 million tonnes in the carbon stock of country as compared to the last assessment of 2019. The annual increase in the carbon stock is 39.7 million tonnes .