Call it the obdurateness of a bureaucrat that a misconceived project has caused innocent exotic birds succumb to the lackadaisical approach of the Forest and Wildlife department of Chandigarh. More than 25 exotic birds costing lakhs of public money went in vain due to the intentional obliviousness of the department. The project which is merely an eight-month-old and inaugurated by First Lady of India Mrs. Savita Kovind in the month of November last year falls dubious with the death of these exotic birds as the department did not follow Central Zoo authority recommendations judiciously.
Earlier also this project fell under the lens of the financial jumble. As per senior officials of the Chandigarh Administration, a few exotic birds named Green Winged Macaw Pair Rs 3.5 Lakh each had died, Cockatoo pair of around Rs 2 lakhs died, Pheasants cost Rs 50-60 thousand died, Sun Conure pair costing Rs 15-20 thousand died in few months. It is said that more than 25 such imported exotic birds have died to weather and non-medical attention in Chandigarh Bird Park.
The Department of forest and wildlife had hired non experienced veterinary doctor contrary to Central Zoo Authority recommendations. CZA visited this place after which they asked the department to seek medical care from Chattbir zoo in case of any medical emergency required for Exotic Birds.
While speaking to The Daily Guardian, Chandigarh Home Secretary IAS Nitin Yadav stated, “We have sought information of the died exotic birds from the department. The requisite action and remedies will be taken at a fast pace”.
Region’s first Bird Park earlier was under the lens of the Audit Department which clearly said in its official report that the expenditure being made on this project is not justified and if in future anyone moves to court against the department, the latter would have no answer to these financial flaws.
These financial flaws that have surfaced under General Finance Rule 2017, say, “In order to initiate any construction, the department has to sign a contract agreement with the agency hired for construction services.”
There have been evident perturbations in the construction of the foundation of birds aviary and this job was allotted to Disha Associates for which the department of Chandigarh Forest and Wildlife did not levy any condition of performance guarantee which is standing as an outstanding of Rs 39.05 lakh.