Central Zoo Authority, Statutory body under MoEFCC
- The National Board for Wildlife re-constituted its Zoo Wing as ‘the Expert Group on Zoos’ in 1972.
- The Expert Group on Zoos recommended setting up of a central agency.
- In effect, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was amended to establish Central Zoo Authority (CZA) as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests in 1992.
- The Authority consists of a Chairman, ten members and a Member Secretary.
- Every zoo in the country is required to obtain recognition from the Authority for its operation.
Functions of Central Zoo Authority
- Specify the minimum standards for housing, upkeep and veterinary care of the animals kept in zoos.
- Evaluate and assess the functioning of the zoos with respect to the prescribed standards or norms.
- Recognize or derecognize zoos.
- Identify endangered species of wild animals for purposes of captive breeding.
- Provide technical and financial assistance to such zoos which have the potential to attain the desired standard in animal management.
- Regulate the exchange of animals of endangered category listed under Schedule-I and II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act among zoos.
- Exchange of animals between Indian and foreign zoos is approved by the Authority before the requisite clearances under EXIM Policy and the CITES permits are issued by the competent authority.
