- Why in news
- On 3 February 2026, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the 43rd meeting of the Central Zoo Authority in New Delhi. It also marked CZA's 34th Foundation Day, and the meeting set up a CSR sub-committee and ordered a second round of zoo evaluations.
- What it is
- The Central Zoo Authority is a statutory body under the Environment Ministry. It sets standards for zoos, evaluates them and regulates their working in India. It promotes ex-situ conservation, meaning protecting species outside their natural habitat, such as in zoos and breeding centres.
- Status
- CZA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Evaluation
- The meeting directed that the second round of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of zoos be completed.
- CSR sub-committee
- A sub-committee was formed to examine CSR contributions for zoos, and CZA meetings will be more frequent.
- Zoo management
- Out of more than 150 zoos in India, most are run by forest departments.
- Legal basis
- CZA was set up under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 1991), and the Environment Minister chairs it.
Don’t confuse with CZA vs NBWL: CZA regulates zoos and ex-situ conservation. The National Board for Wildlife advises on wildlife policy and project clearances near protected areas.
Don’t confuse with Ex-situ vs in-situ: Ex-situ conservation protects species outside their habitat, as in zoos. In-situ protects them in their natural habitat, as in national parks.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Standards and evaluation of zoos improve animal welfare and make zoos centres of conservation breeding and research.
Problems
- Zoos depend on limited public funds, and many struggle with space, veterinary care and animal welfare standards.
Way forward
- Use CSR funds, technology and partnerships with research institutions to raise zoo standards and outreach.
Put in your answer
Management Effectiveness Evaluation: Independent evaluation of zoos; a second round has been ordered.
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UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.