The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is the statutory body that regulates and oversees zoos across India, setting standards for animal care and coordinating conservation breeding among them.
Basic Details
- Type: Statutory body.
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Statutory Basis: Chapter IVA (Sections 38A to 38J) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, inserted in 1991.
- Reports To: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Genesis
- Statutory Backing: Parliament inserted Chapter IVA into the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Authority was constituted in 1992 to bring uniform standards to India's zoos.
Composition
- Members: A Chairman, ten members, and a Member Secretary.
Powers and Functions
- Recognition of Zoos: Evaluates zoos against prescribed standards and grants or withholds recognition, without which a zoo cannot legally operate.
- Animal Welfare Standards: Lays down minimum standards for the housing, upkeep, and veterinary care of zoo animals.
- Breeding Coordination: Coordinates the acquisition, exchange, and loaning of animals between zoos for planned conservation breeding programmes.
- International Exchange: Regulates the exchange of endangered species between Indian and foreign zoos, subject to the required clearances.
- Training: Coordinates training for zoo personnel across the country.
Significance
- National Standard-Setter: As the single body recognising all Indian zoos, it prevents the poor animal-welfare standards that were common before 1992 from persisting unchecked.
- Facilitator Role: It functions more as a facilitator than a regulator, giving zoos technical and financial assistance rather than only enforcing compliance.