AMC’s Kankaria Zoo Fixes ₹50 Binocular Rental Before Approving ₹30 Bird-Watching Registration Fee

Under the ‘Vision Over Kankaria’ initiative, the AMC plans to launch a bird-watching and education programme at Kankaria Zoo. While the rental charge for binoculars has been finalised, approval for the proposed registration fee of ₹30 per person is still pending.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is preparing to introduce a bird-watching and education programme titled ‘Vision Over Kankaria’ at Kankaria Zoo. However, the proposed registration fee for participants has not yet been approved, even as the rental charge for binoculars to be used during the activity has already been finalised.

At a meeting of the Recreational, Cultural and Heritage Committee held on Friday, the rental charge was fixed at ₹50 per binocular. Meanwhile, a proposal to charge ₹30 per person for on-the-spot registration is awaiting approval. The registration fee proposal is expected to be placed before the committee at its next meeting.

₹50 Binocular Rental Fixed, Registration Fee Awaits Approval

According to an official, the plan is to allow participants to register at the venue for the bird-watching programme. A registration fee of ₹30 per person has been proposed, but it has not yet received approval. The process of obtaining approval will be taken up at the next committee meeting.

Thus, while the rental charge for binoculars has been decided, the fee for participating in the programme remains undecided.

Using binoculars during bird-watching will not be compulsory. Individuals or groups wishing to use them can rent a pair by paying ₹50 per binocular. Participants who do not wish to use binoculars will not be required to rent them.

Programme to Educate Visitors About Bird Identification and Conservation

The ‘Vision Over Kankaria’ programme aims to educate zoo visitors, particularly school and college students, about bird identification, nests and chicks. It also seeks to raise awareness about wildlife conservation.

Kankaria Zoo receives more than 3 million visitors every year, including students. Bird-watching activities have previously been organised two to three times a week in collaboration with bird-watching groups. These sessions provided information about identifying bird species, their nests and the number of chicks.

The AMC now plans to develop these activities into a more structured educational programme.

₹1 Lakh to Be Spent on Equipment

Around ₹1 lakh is expected to be spent on equipment, including binoculars, for the programme.

Zoo officers and the zoo guides working under them are expected to assist in implementing the initiative. They will guide participants and provide information about bird identification and conservation.

However, the programme’s implementation, registration fee and final arrangements will proceed only after the necessary approvals are obtained.