Wildlife on companies' balance sheet

HP govt trying to rope in companies to adopt animals

For a better upkeep of wild animals in a zoo near here, the broke Himachal Pradesh wildlife department and a local animal welfare society are trying to rope in top business firms to adopt animals.

The Himalayan nature park, located 9,000 feet above the sea level, 16 km uphill from here, houses some of the rarest Himalayan animals in the state, including the snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, brown bear, black bear.

It also has several species of pheasants, including the brilliant monal and khaleej. Poor upkeep has resulted in untimely deaths of some of these animals over the years, including the highly endangered snow leopard, one of which died some three years ago here.

"We have appealed to animal lovers, particularly leading corporate houses based in the state, to come forward and adopt these animals," said R S Chauhan, a senior state wildlife official here. "Even though the adopted animal will remain in our care in the zoo, the money raised through adoption will be spent on the animal or bird adopted by the individual or company," he said.

The adopter (or sponsor) can monitor the money being spent on the animal. He or she will have free access to the park and will have his name printed outside the dwelling of the animal, say officials. The monthly rent for adopting a yak is Rs 2,100. A Tibetan wolf can be adopted for Rs 1,900, a brown or black bear for Rs 1,500, and the rare monal pheasant, which is also the state bird of Himachal Pradesh, for Rs 300.

"I have recently adopted a brown bear cub," said Asha Kumari, an animal lover and a legislator. The adoption rates for private companies are expected to be substantially higher. The wildlife department is taking the help of the state eco-tourism society to attract sponsors (or adopters).

Officials say if the response is good, animals in other such nature parks (or zoos) could also be eligible for adoption. "Private companies reaping benefits in the state must come forward to help provide a better life for these rare animals which are our heritage," said local animal rights activist Rajeshwar Singh Negi.