Now tax relief for adopting an animal at Hyderabad zoo

Hyderabad, Dec 21: In a unique effort to take care of animals and birds, the Nehru Zoological Park here has been implementing an animal adoption scheme for individuals, corporate houses and others, who can now claim I—T exemption under this scheme.

As per the adoption scheme, either individuals or corporates can adopt animals like lions and tigers, crocodiles, chimpanzees, monkeys, cats and also birds like owls for a fee, the Zoo Director P Mallikarjuna Rao told PTI in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

A Government Order (GO) was issued several years ago by the Andhra Pradesh government for the implementation of the scheme, for which, income tax exemption has become applicable from this year, he said.

Those who adopt the animals can now claim Income Tax exemption under Section 80 (G) of the Income Tax Act and a certificate is given to them for the purpose, he said.

The zoo allows flexible adoption duration like one year, six months and three months.

Names of the donors are displayed on a board at the enclosure of the animal or bird adopted by them and they are provided free entry into the zoo during the period of their adoption, Mr. Rao said.

While seven persons adopted the animals during the current year (April 2011-March 2012), the number was nine in the preceding year.

The adoption scheme would promote awareness among the people, besides helping in the maintenance of the animals, Mr. Rao said.

The amount for adoption of a tiger or a lion is Rs 1,00,000, while for an elephant it is Rs 50,000. For crocodiles, the annual maintenance fee is Rs 10,000 and it is Rs 50,000 for chimpanzees.

The amount is Rs 50,000 for jaguars, panthers and bears and Rs 30,000 for hyenas, jackals and wolves.

For a set of five birds, including peacocks, parrots, and pheasants the adoption fee is Rs 10,000.

The Nehru Zoological Park, popularly known as Hyderabad zoo, was established in 1963. It is spread over an area of about 380 acres.

Keywords: Hyderabad Zoo, Nehru Zoological Park, Animal adoption scheme, Income Tax exemption

PTI