Thiruvananthapuram, 17 September (H.S.): Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s proposal to relocate the historic Thiruvananthapuram Zoo from the city centre to Neyyar or Palode has triggered a political controversy, with Mayor V.V. Rajesh supporting the idea and the CPM strongly opposing it.

Satheesan floated the proposal while inaugurating the ‘Reimagining Kerala’ project. He said keeping animals in the heart of a crowded city amounted to cruelty and suggested shifting them to a location closer to a forest, where they could live in surroundings resembling their natural habitat.

The Chief Minister described the relocation as a dream project and proposed transforming the existing zoo premises into a world-class open urban space modelled on New York’s Madison Square.

Backing the proposal, Rajesh said the city’s increasingly hot weather was unsuitable for animals. Relocation could provide them with a better environment while also benefiting the capital, he said. The greenery on the existing premises should be preserved, while experts could conduct technical studies to identify an appropriate site outside the city.

However, former Vattiyoorkavu MLA and CPM leader V.K. Prasanth alleged that commercial and corporate interests were behind the proposal. In a Facebook post, he claimed the move was part of a conspiracy to hand over valuable land in the city centre to large business groups.

Prasanth said the Left would strongly resist any attempt to relocate the zoo. He termed the Mayor’s support for the proposal unfortunate and warned that shifting the facility to a distant forest region would make it difficult for ordinary families and children to visit.

Established in 1859, the zoo remains one of the capital’s most prominent and affordable recreational and tourist destinations. Prasanth said its relocation would also affect small traders and workers whose livelihoods depended on visitors.

Responding to comparisons with the relocation of Thrissur Zoo, Prasanth said Thiruvananthapuram residents wanted their historic zoo to remain at its present location.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman