London:
British Government should provide appropriate funding for Zoological gardens, a location for family-building and reinforcement, as part of efforts to preserve life rather than destroy it, NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul has said.
Participating in a debate in the House of Lords on Monday evening on a motion to ask the "Government how they propose to promote the better running of zoos in the UK and the European Union," Lord Paul, 81, observed that "Zoos have become doors through which we can wander into worlds that we are losing."
"For a significant segment of our population, this is probably the only access and connection they will ever have to the other species with whom we share this planet," he said.
Yet zoos in the UK, "unlike museums, receive no direct government funding. Surely, this in itself, tells us something about the way we assign our public priorities. That is why I strongly urge the government to give appropriate consideration to renewing support for zoological gardens."
"We all understand that funding sources are scarce. But we can spare something to support activities that inspire us to treasure and preserve life rather than destroying it."
Lord Paul, who donated one million pounds to the London Zoo to prevent it from closure in 1992, said "well-managed zoos in particular increase our awareness of the natural world and illustrate that man does not, and should not, live by bread alone.
"I say this with a certain passion because of a particular personal experience," he said and recalled "nearly fifty years ago, I came to this country to give my little daughter Ambika some desperately needed medical treatment.
"Sadly, it could not save her. But in those few last months I saw and felt the extraordinary happiness that this small child in a terminal condition derived from frequent visits to the London Zoo.
"Somehow, this environment, where other children and animals relaxed in a natural setting, brought all of us in the family closer together and eased the pain of the tragedy she and we confronted."