Imran Khan’s one-day sojourns to Peshawar always bring relief to the monotonous lives of its denizens, and his announcement of opening a 29-acre zoo in the city was no different. In his speech, Khan claims that the “recreation-starved” Peshwarites’ needs would be met with this mega project.

The original plan was first floated by the ANP government but shelved owing to a lack of resources and political constraints.

Animal lovers and environmentalists were not enamoured by the decision then and they have no love lost now. They cite examples of the state of neglect towards zoo animals globally and particularly in Pakistan — where there are reports of animals dying due to a lack of medical care and negligence by underpaid and untrained staff abound.

Many environmentalists oppose Imran Khan’s decision to build a 29-acre zoo due to concerns about animal welfare

Animal rights activists also consider the idea of zoos outdated and they point out that the emerging trend is to promote wildlife reserves and parks comprising large grazing lands where the movement of animals is not restricted to cages, and a natural habitat is provided which is compatible with the animals’ needs.

I asked my environmentalist friends about their views on the proposed zoo: the overwhelming response was against it.

Maureen Lines, an ardent animal-rights activist, argues, “This will spell disaster for the animals that will either be brought from other appalling zoos or even deliberately captured to live in a humid and hot environment that even humans in this city can’t bear. Will there be sufficient water? Round-the-clock cool air, open spaces instead of cages?”

Lines points out that even the process of capturing animals qualifies as cruelty: “Do you know the cruelty imposed on animals when they are captured and transported? Have you ever read about the capturing of elephants?”

Animal rights activists also consider the idea of zoos outdated and they point out that the emerging trend is to promote wildlife reserves and parks comprising large grazing lands where the movement of animals is not restricted to cages, and a natural habitat is provided which is compatible with the animals’ needs.

There are alternatives — established in the 1990s and located close to the plains of Khwara Range in the Nowshera district is the Manglot Wildlife Park: a sanctuary for endangered wildlife species and a scenic recreational resort. If the government is enterprising enough, it could draw tourists to the site.

The reserve was also meant to create awareness among people about the importance of biodiversity and the park presents a success story in conservation and endangered wild species protection.

A Google satellite view of the park shows 1,756 acres of forested area; the flora and fauna in the park include olive trees but neglect by officials has resulted in the growth of wild trees and shrubs.

“Wildlife species include chinkaras, hog deers, wolves, wild boars, jackals, porcupines and hares; reptiles and a variety of snakes and wild lizards are also found in the park. The bird species include chakorr, three varieties of partridges, rock pigeon, dove and several sparrows. A common leopard was also spotted in the park,” states the official website.

“A modern road through the safari park is needed with recreation and resting facilities for families and tourists. Being close to Punjab, it has the potential to [attract] a huge number of eco-tourists from both Punjab and KP if developed,” points out Zulfiqar Ali, an environmental journalist.

Nasser Yousaf, a writer, brings a sombre dimension to the ongoing debate, “Peshawar doesn’t need another zoo as Peshawar is an oppressive zoo. Our movement is at best restricted and one has to think many times before deciding to visit a friend or family member. Very few … touch on this inhuman aspect of our present circumstances.

“I will not be able to sit and walk under the shade of the old rosewoods and banyans on the Mall in my lifetime. We lived in another Peshawar a decade ago and it’s sadly no more. One wouldn’t like animals to suffer like us. They must enjoy the freedom of their natural abodes which I am being denied by gun-toting cops.”

Yousaf and Lines speak for many of us. One hopes Khan reconsiders and decides against establishing the Peshawar Zoo.

The writer is a founding member of the Sarhad Conservation Network

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, March 27th, 2016