Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) will now approach corporates and celebrities to increase the animal adoption scheme. Forest department officials are now also finding ways to encourage interest among the prospective adopters. As per a report published in FNA, Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) and Field Director of SGNP, Anwar Ahmed said  “We have studied the whole scheme in detail and found out that despite being active since 2014, the scheme was not popularised. He also said that those who knew about it often felt a little let down as there was no incentive for them in it.”

Now the department has started writing to the corporates and is also informing them how it will help them to conserve animals. "I am writing to well-known corporates and explaining this scheme to them. Apart from this, we also plan to put up a creative display close to the gates informing how people can adopt captive animals at SGNP," said Anwar. 

The department is also chalking out ways wherein those adopting animals may get financial benefits like income tax benefit. Soon after the adoption scheme started in the year 2014, nine animals which included a tiger, two rusty spotted cats, a leopard and a lion were adopted. The 2015 year saw only five adoptions while in the year 2016 there were only three adoptions. The only adoption in the year 2017 includes union minister Ramdas Athawale who came forward and adopted Bheema the leopard. In all, there are 90 animals for adoption right now. This includes seven tigers, six rusty spotted cats, 14 leopards, 16 four-horned antelopes, two nilgais, three lions and 43 spotted deers. 

If you feel like adopting animals, then here is the cost.

Lion: Rs 3.0 lakhs

Tiger: 3.10 lakhs

Leopard: 1.20 lakhs

Rusty Spotted Cats: 50,000

Spotted Deer: 20,000

Nilgai- 30,000