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.