Surprised by the title? Yes, it is true. Not sure how many of you have visited Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysore, aka Mysore Zoo. During my recent trip to Mysore and surroundings, got a chance to visit this zoo for the first time! Though I have visited Mysore a number of times, never been to this zoo since it was so common and because of controversies few years back. I got to know this zoo is very uncommon only after a visit!
It was mentioned inside the zoo that all the animals/birds which are preserved there were found in forests with wounds or some kind of illness. As a part of wildlife conservation, forest officers get such animals into the zoo to take a better care. It was also mentioned in one of the hoardings that the state government is not allocating any funds in budget towards the maintenance of zoo and wild life inside. Thus most of the money comes in the form of entry feel charged to the visitors. That is not at all sufficient with the variety of animals they have, take a look at some of the images below. I have only posted few images here, but there are a number of animals/birds spread over a walk through path of 3.5 kms inside the zoo. You can spot leopards, white tigers, african elephants, variety of crocs etc., to name a few. In order to maintain the zoo, it was necessary for the officials to explore innovative ways to raise funds.
Thus situation warrants for some tax benefits for those adopting animals and birds in this zoo. Not just that, your name along with place where you live will be displayed on the captivity mesh. Under section 80G, the zoo issues donations tax benefit certificates as per income tax law in India. So, you have an option to adopt any animal or bird of your choice for a specific period. This means an animal or bird will be still maintained and looked after in the zoo itself, maintenance is sponsored by an individual.
It was a common sight inside the zoo that many Infosys employees have adopted a large number of lives out there! So, why not each of us who can afford? Feel free to support and conserve some of the rare, extinct species. Plus avail the tax benefit too… Isn’t that a good way to spend some money while saving a part of it in the form of Tax?
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Mohan, being a Mysorean, I can tell you how important the zoo is, as a part of the daily life there… Many people know the lions, tigers etc by name. It’s a big news story locally if an animal dies. The zoo was in a pretty bad shape few years ago, what with corruption and lackadaisical management and maintenance. There were very few animals, and they were not maintained upto the standards. This ‘adopt an animal’ initiative played a major part to turn around the failing fortunes of the zoo, atleast to a certain extent.
There’s also a provision to adopt an ‘already adopted’ animal. If you like an animal which is already adopted, you can still jointly maintain it with the other(s). Conditions apply of course, this is only for the ‘heavy maintenance’ animals, as one person may not be able to provide for fully. Also, there is a restriction for the no. of people per animal. These conditions vary for different animals.
It’s nice of you to spread the word around. Kudos!
Hey Aparna, thanks for the additional info provided. Please do spread the word so that it is mutually benefit for both the parties!
I am impressed! What an idea sirji
I just loved it.. just perfect way to preseving these animals. I will spread this word around. I am sure many like me will be impressed and will try to adopt animals. Thanks for sharing this.
All your (and rest of the readers) love! Hope this goes a long way. Please do spread via facebook, twitter whatever you think is appropriate
Got me all nostalgic ..I am missing Mysore big time nw
and I love this initiative from their side .. benefits both the parties
True.. please spread the word
Hey Mohan, first of all “BRILLIANT POST” as usual and great info buddy….
I have visisted Mysore so many times, now that its called my second home. Am ashamed that I have visisted the ZOO in ages and this post will definetely take me there next……Its such a brilliant idea, am gonna even share this with friends and family….
Take care…
Thanks shruti! You should visit soon and adopt something over there! Feel free to share with everyone
Hey thats a pretty impressive article… and kudos to the zoo for taking care of the injured and sick animals… its been a couple of years since I visited Maysore, so thanks for reminding about a pending trip
the next time I am there… i will definitely adopt a animal there and not just for the tax benifit… but because i feel they deserve it…
great article again… thanks!
Thanks Tavish! sure, enjoy your next trip to Mysore
Sounds so positive when you say “I will definitely adopt an animal”. Thanks for that.
This is a great news for all the animal lovers. Thanks for sharing such information Mohan. I really like your thought behind every article you write. Hats off to you.
Thanks Reshma! I should pass on these praises to my blog readers who keep coming with new set of questions and ideas that prompt me to write articles like this… that includes you
Oh wow.. Mysore zoo’s initiative is an example! Hope others follow suit. This is such a win-win situation. Helps prosperity of zoo, animals & in turn offers tax benefits as well.
I’ve been to Mysore zoo – such a well-maintained pretty zoo! This is a nice post !!
Yes! it is indeed a win-win situation. Thanks
I read about this before, grand idea isn’t it?
It is indeed a fantastic idea!
that is great news, mohan. thanks for letting us know. i have been to the mysore zoo a few times, and have been delighted by it. it is one of the best in south india.
That is very true. Even i am happy with the wide range of wildlife they are preserving.
Awesome news for animal lovers. I like the minute details that you collect from your travelogues. Even I had been to this zoo a couple of times, but never noticed the adoption scheme. Thanks for all the info Mohan…
Hey Sneha – Thanks! You are most welcome
While this is a good idea, I would like to debate if rules can be liberalized to allow people to have wild animals as pets (the non dangerous ones like deers, peacocks, fox etc)
Near our home town a person used to have lot of animals in his house- wild cats, deers, Ox, some non poisonous snakes, horses, birds etc. His house was very popular in the locality and everyone used to visit once a while to spend some time with the animals… He used to love these animals and take good care of them.
One fine day forest officials raided his house, took away all animals and the person is reported to have gone mad after loosing all his dear animals
I am not in favor of adopting them at homes. The reason is simple, the animals always fare well in their natural habitat, domestication takes out the whole idea of wild life. I have seen that news bit on the guy you are mentioning.
I dunno how i missed this post of urs!!
What a wonderful idea! I think I shud take Lil p to mysore zoo n let her choose her fav animal.. n i’ll surely adopt an animal this year.
You should Shruti… She would love to spend some quality time there for sure!
After cutting down forests and destroying the habitats of the birds and other wild life… the state govt. is not allocating funds for their upkeep @ the zoo… ?!! Strange!
What and who does the govt. represent exactly?? They aren’t doing much for human beings either…
Here are a few of heart-warming stories:
1. http://notape.....itude.html
2. http://notape.....ws-no.html
Sadly, there are few things through which politicians can’t make much money. Hence they tend to exclude them totally, this is one such example!
Only if Govt of India could provide tax benefits on adopting city roads too, because money budgeted to upkeep them is so less it can’t feed the corrupt officials enough
(pls take in a lighter vein)
the zoo and the news -both are great, needs replication. will contribute.
That is a good suggestion! Thanks!
Very nice to hear there is some way to help and save life of these animals. I have been to this zoo.. Very nice place to visit with kids.. My niece and lil cousins loved this place. And ur post is very informative.. I have posted in my FB to let ppl know..
Thanks for spreading the news Lavi.
Hey what an idea better than paying TAX to Govt better to Adopt an animal
True.. hope many people get serious about adopting animals
We must be kind to animals. In cities we have cows,dogs and pigs wandering around and getting hurt etc. If public get the dogs sterilised using Blue Cross etc it would be nice. The dogs can be sterilised and brought back to same locality. population will be controlled in a humane manner
I am with you on that! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.