Jamshedpur: Tata Steel Zoological Park today celebrated its 29th Foundation Day amid much fanfare. The foundation stone for the Tata Zoo was laid on January 16, 1990.
On the occasion to commemorate the day, a cake-cutting ceremony took place. Dignitaries present on the occasion included chief guest Shubhenjit Chaudhuri, MD, Tata Pigments and members of the Tata Steel Zoological Society. The Zoo staff were also given gift vouchers to mark the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhuri said �Animals including human beings depend on each other for their very existence and keeping a balance in the ecosystem is very important. We have responsibility to keep animals safe. Tata Steel zoo has wide variety of animals including the endangered species. I congratulate the management on this significant occasion.�
Following the inaugural event in the morning, a �Sit & Draw� competition was also organised for under-privileged children as a part of activity christened �Reaching Out to Unreachable one�. Nukkad Natak was also organised near the main gate of the zoo with the support of non-government organisations.
Animal Welfare Fortnight was also kicked off today. The Fortnight till January 30 will witness series of programmes and activities for the children and animal lovers so as to increase awareness about the animal welfare. Government and private school children from various schools will visit and take part in the programmes during the period. The fortnight will also witness informal education by organizing zoo visits for college and school students, formal education through �Touch and Learn�, �Keeper Talk�, �Keeper for a Day� activities.
Tata Zoo is centrally located and spread over an area of around 25 hectares. The zoo houses 439 animals which includes 19 species of mammals, 29 species of birds and four species of reptiles. The Zoo has many firsts to its name-it was first zoo in India to possess pure bred African Lions and Mandrills. It is the only zoo in the region to have a Butterfly Park. It is a Medium Category Zoo recognized by the Central Zoo Authority.
Earlier in the morning, Welcome Address was given by Radhika Singh, Secretary, Tata Steel Zoological Society and the function ended with Vote of Thanks extended by Dr. Seema Rani, Biologist Cum Education Officer.