Students of city corporation schools and government schools in Chennai and neighbouring districts will get free entry and travel to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur — one of the largest in South East Asia — thanks to a special “wildlife awareness” class.
In an attempt to create awareness regarding wildlife among the younger generation, the forest department has allocated funds for the novel scheme.
“The state government has sanctioned Rs 30 lakh towards the scheme through which ‘wildlife awareness’ classes would be conducted for students at the zoo.
The concession will be offered only to students attending the classes, after which they will be taken around the zoo,” sources in the Environment and Forest department told Deccan Chronicle on Sunday.
They added that the scheme was aimed at educating underprivileged students studying in government schools and aided schools for better understanding of wildlife and its role in the ecosystem.
Zoo director Mr K.S.S.V.P. Reddy, meanwhile, said that the students would not be allowed inside without tickets.
They still would have to purchase Rs 2 concession tickets sold exclusively for them but the cost would be borne by the government.
A forest official said that students from one school would be allowed every week.
School administrations should send the details of students in advance and reach the zoo on their own. The government would reimburse their bus fares and entry fee expenses.
“Forest department will send communication to the schools in this regard shortly,” sources added.
The zoo administration collects Rs 30 as entrance fees for adult visitors and Rs 10 for the children of five to 12 years of age.