Rohtak zoo animals to get slew of facilities

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, December 16

While the state government has provided facilities like electric heaters, chick-curtains and cozy cotton-lined nestling enclosures for animals and birds at the Rohtak zoo, a number of lesser mortals – homeless human-beings – still spend the ice-cold winter nights on pavements.

“We have installed electric heaters at the enclosures of leopards, lion-cubs and rock-python, while the wooden bird-houses have been lined with paddy-husk and cotton to protect them from the cold wave. Chick-curtains have also been put up to shield birds and animals from the chilly winds,” says Deepak Alawadi, Divisional Wildlife Officer, Rohtak.

On the other hand, a number of homeless people have no option but to spend freezing nights on wet pavements, especially around local railway station.

“There was a night-shelter near the local railway station earlier, but it has been removed by the Railways authorities. As of now, we have a night shelter on the outskirts of the city, though it is sparingly used,” concedes Pardeep Godara, Commissioner, Rohtak Municipal Corporation.

On being pointed out that the only night shelter of Rohtak is located far away from the main city and hence not serving its purpose, the officer maintained that there was no plan to shift its location nor is there any demand for any more night shelters.

“Gareebon ki kaun sunta hai, sahab..unke jeeney-marney se kisi ko kya farak padta hai (Who listens to the poor, no one is bothered about their survival),” says Ram Mehar, a pavement-dweller.