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Females not allowed to visit Karachi Zoo during Eid

KARACHI: Continuing the tradition of the previous years, the administration of Karachi Zoo has prohibited entry of women visitors including girls of seven year and above, at its premises during three days of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The zoo administration has, however, made special arrangements for safety of male visitors and animals as well.

"We have cancelled leaves of all staffs of Watch and Ward Department and area police will also provide security during three days of the Eid," said Zoo Deputy Director Dr Kazim Hussain.

Talking to APP on Friday, Dr Kazim said the gate fee collection has been given to contractors from Friday and the staff earlier posted on collecting fees would also be utilised for security purpose.

A large number of people visit Karachi Zoo during Eid days and days following the eve.

He said each Wednesday of the week is reserved for women visitors and this year probably fourth day of Eid would be the Wednesday, "so we will allow women visitors on that day as usual."

Dr Kazim pointed out that ban on women during three days of Eid is aimed to ensure security of women visitors. "We cannot handle such a huge rush on those days," he admitted.

Being a city with population of over 100 million, Karachi has already scarcity of recreational facilities.

Many social and welfare organisations have been criticising the decision of the zoo management for not allowing families, particularly, women in the zoo during the Eid holidays. The Karachi zoo is managed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

Dr Kazim said two or three years back, the administration had allowed only families during the Eid holidays, but that experience was not successful and it was also very difficult for the management to handle the male members of the families with the meagre staff at the zoo.

He said due to paucity of the funds the management is not able to increase its staff. There are only 40 regular employees registered with Watch and Ward Department and those are also divided into three shifts.ÑAPP