THIS is with reference to the news item ‘Bahawalpur zoo to be upgraded’ (Nov 7). The improvement initiative announced for the zoo is indeed laudable for the betterment of wildlife and for the promotion of tourism in the underdeveloped areas of the country.

The price of tickets at the said zoo has long been kept frozen at Rs4-6 despite inflation and economic stress that have together taken the cost of just about everything upward manifold. The current ticket charge can hardly cover much of the zoo expense. A more rational step will be to increase the price to at least Rs10, if not Rs20, which can still be easily paid by the people.

This will help in two ways: one, the increased income will lessen the burden on government funds, and, two, it can be spent on improving the living conditions of the animals, including the quality of food and the renovation of their habitat.

The zoo administration in Bahawalpur has often been criticised for inefficiency, but, with enough funds at its disposal, the administration would have no excuse anymore.

Shahzaib Khan
Bahawalpur

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2020