Andhra Deputy CM Pavan Kalyan Champions Wildlife Conservation, Adopts Giraffes in Visakhapatnam
In a significant move highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Forest and Environment, K Pavan Kalyan, has emphasized that wildlife conservation is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and stability. During his three-day visit to the port city of Visakhapatnam, he urged all citizens to actively participate in conservation efforts and made a special appeal to corporate houses to get involved in protecting wildlife.
Symbolic Adoption and Family Commitment to Animal Welfare
On the occasion of his mother Anjana Devi's birthday, Pavan Kalyan adopted two giraffes at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam. He announced that he would cover their maintenance costs for an entire year, setting a personal example of commitment to animal care. The deputy CM revealed that his family has a deep affection for animals, with four dogs at home, and they are very attentive to animal welfare issues.
Comprehensive Zoo Inspection and Conservation Discussions
During his visit to Visakhapatnam Zoo on Thursday, Pavan Kalyan conducted a thorough inspection of the facilities established for animal conservation. He engaged in detailed discussions with forest department officials about development opportunities and stressed that corporations should partner in zoo development by choosing animals they like and taking responsibility for their care.
His inspection included:
- Visiting the butterfly park near the back gate where he learned about different butterfly species and their feeding methods from zoo curator Mangamma
- Releasing various butterflies collected by forest officials into the park
- Gently redirecting tiger butterflies that landed on him to nearby flower plants
- Observing elephants and enquiring about their diet, names given by zoo officials, and care measures
- Inaugurating a new enclosure for bears, learning about the two black bears in the zoo, and feeding them
- Observing deer, lions, African macaws, and tigers while discussing their protection measures and necessary zoo facilities
- Visiting the elephant shelter where he followed zoo regulations, sanitized himself, and fed the elephants
- Visiting the giraffe enclosure where he fed them their favorite banyan leaves and bananas while enquiring about their origin and age from caretakers
Eco Park Exploration and Urban Forest Development
Pavan Kalyan extended his conservation focus beyond the zoo by inspecting Kambalakonda Eco Park. Here, he inaugurated an urban forest (Nagara Vanam) developed by the forest department, which spans an impressive 50 acres within the eco park. The deputy CM took a 400-meter canopy walk on a wooden bridge among various tree species, examining trees like teak, neem, mahogany, and bamboo while learning about their scientific names and environmental benefits.
In a symbolic gesture of environmental commitment, he planted mahogany saplings in the park's peace garden. Throughout his visit, he was accompanied by senior forest officials including principal chief conservator of forest PV Chalapathi Rao, APCCF Shantipriya Pandey, forest development corporation regional manager Jyoti, Visakhapatnam DFO Ravindra Dama, and joint collector Vidyadhari.
The deputy chief minister's comprehensive visit underscores the government's commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental protection while creating a model for public-private partnership in ecological preservation.
