Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has approved a ₹50 rental charge for binoculars proposed for a new bird-watching and education programme at Kankaria Zoo, while a separate ₹30 registration fee for participants is still awaiting approval.
The programme, planned under the zoo’s “Vision Over Kankaria” initiative, is intended to help visitors identify birds, understand their nests and young, and learn about wildlife conservation. The binocular rental was approved at a meeting of the AMC’s Recreational, Cultural and Heritage Committee held on Friday, October 9.
The proposed registration fee has not yet been cleared. According to the information available, visitors may be allowed to register at the site and pay ₹30 per person to join the activity. The proposal is expected to be placed before the committee again for consideration and approval.
The two charges are being treated separately. Visitors who want to use binoculars would pay ₹50 per binocular, while those who do not require the equipment would not be compelled to rent it. The programme’s proposed structure therefore allows participants to attend the activity without taking the optional equipment.
The initiative is aimed particularly at school and college students visiting the zoo. Officials plan to provide guidance on bird identification, nesting patterns and the number of birds and chicks observed in the area. The conservation component is intended to make the activity more than a recreational visit by linking the zoo’s large visitor base with basic wildlife education.
Kankaria Zoo receives more than 30 lakh visitors annually, including a significant number of students, according to the report. Bird-watching activities have already been conducted two or three times a week with the involvement of bird-watcher groups. The proposed programme would formalise those activities through a more structured educational format.
The AMC is expected to spend approximately ₹1 lakh on binoculars and other equipment for the initiative. Zoo officers and guides working under them are expected to support implementation and provide information to participants. Their role would include helping visitors identify birds and explaining conservation-related issues.
The programme has not yet reached its final implementation stage. The registration charge, operating arrangements and wider launch will depend on the required committee approvals. The next committee discussion is expected to determine whether the proposed ₹30 participant fee is accepted and how the bird-watching activity will be organised at Kankaria Zoo.
