Kolkata, Jul 24 : The Save Wild Animals of ZOO and Our Nature (SWAZON), a biodiversity advocacy platform based in West Bengal, on Thursday announced a demonstration in front of Alipore Zoological Gardens demanding a probe into the significant decline in animal species housed at the zoo.
Citing data that suggests the number of animal species at the zoo fell from 672 at the end of 2023-24 to 351 in early 2025, SWAZON warned against any attempt to tinker with its rich biodiversity.
On July 1, SWAZON filed a petition in Calcutta High Court seeking its intervention and praying for a direction to the Alipore zoo authorities to furnish details about the exact number of animal species and if there was any substantial decline in their numbers and the reasons.
“We have called for a protest at the zoo gate on July 30 to press for the ‘Save the Zoo’ initiative. Every citizen who wants to save the greens is welcome. Let’s hope the forest authorities prioritise animal welfare and environmental conservation,” a SWAZON spokesperson told PTI.
Vowing to stop any bid to “commercialise the zoo land,” the SWAZON spokesperson said Alipore Zoo is a 150-year-old heritage site and its preservation is crucial for both historical and environmental reasons.
The group claimed the drop in species numbers—from 1,452 to 351 in just over a decade—was deeply concerning and could not be viewed in isolation from alleged efforts to commercialise land around the zoo, which is home to significant water bodies and green belts.
SWAZON also flagged concerns about shrinking green spaces in Kolkata, noting that the open space available per capita is less than 1 per cent—far below the WHO-recommended 9 square metres.
The issue gained further traction after the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) reportedly flagged the reduction in species count.
Reports quoting the CZA claimed that against 672 animals at the end of fiscal 2023-24, the number went down to 351 in early 2025, and currently stands at 321.
In response, West Bengal’s Forest Department has launched an official inquiry, which is expected to submit its report within two weeks.
“We’ve taken serious note of the issue and have sought all details from the zoo authorities. Whatever action needs to be taken, we will initiate,” said S. Sundriyal, Chief Wildlife Warden of the state.
Zoo authorities claimed that the mismatch in numbers was nothing but a “simple error in counting method to be rectified soon.”
Zoo director Arun Mukherjee had earlier said, “The matter is sub-judice. So I won’t comment further.”
Officials said the West Bengal forest department has ordered an inquiry into the alleged discrepancy in the animal inventory of the 149-year-old zoo during the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25.
In another development, WBHIDCO (West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd), an enterprise under the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, cancelled an e-auction for allotment of a piece of land on Belvedere Road near the zoo premises. (PTI)
