An Inspiring Story of Renu Singh
Renu Singh had the vision to turn the zoo into a green zone by using solar energy. Interestingly, she was successful in turning her vision into reality and her Prince of Wales Zoological Garden rightfully earned the status of becoming India’s first Zoo to use solar energy. In 2011, its offices, streetlights, and kitchen were on solar consumption.
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However, within the next years, the whole zoo has been running on solar energy i.e. water pumps, water heating systems, animal hospitals, the nursery, etc. Apart from that, other equipment and sources of the zoo such as water power ejectors, vehicles, the ticket house, and the decoration lights on the main gate are also on solar consumption. Above all, the zoo nursery’s irrigation system is also run on sunlight.
What inspired Renu Singh for the idea?
Renu Singh was in a meeting at the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary’s office in 2008 where the idea was birthed. In the meeting, it was decided to construct solar energy in the Lucknow zoo. In fact, the idea was to educate people about the benefits of solar energy.
However, Renu Singh was in bewilderment as to who would start practising it just by listening to it through words. She thus kept finding a practical way which would motivate people to switch to the idea. That’s when it occurred to her to use solar energy for the zoo’s existing infrastructure.
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How did the idea actually turn out?
According to Renu, it was a totally workable idea and progressively changed a lot of things. To sum up, there was a cut down on the huge electricity bills which used to amount to Rs 7, 84,000 earlier. Above all, this new set-up not only showed people how functional solar energy is possible in our daily work but also educated the visitors and organisations about how alternative sources of energy can be brought to use.
The New and Renewable Energy Development Agency of the UP government funded this project. The total cost of Lucknow’s largest green lung turning into an eco-friendly zone is estimated at Rs 94,34,000.
Most importantly, how did it turn out for the zoo animals?
This eco-friendly zone initiative definitely has been successful in bringing a healthy environment for the animals. Moreover, the clean, healthy, and animal-friendly surroundings provide a pleasant environment which encourages breeding. The solar-powered battery-run vehicles of the zoo help to keep the air and sound pollution away from the zoo.
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Renu Singh above all is not the only believer and practitioner of this initiative. In fact, the entire crew of the zoo is involved with full dedication. Singh moreover is very happy with the growing profile of the zoo. In short, words, when she joined the zoo in 2007 as a director, a fund of Rs 37,50,000 was funded. However, the government increased it to 70,00,000 in 2010. And, at present, it must have increased even more.
Renu Singh’s Zoo, her initiative, and her love for the environment have set an example for other zoos as well. She has done what has earned the first number on the list. Hopefully, the the rest of series will follow the list.
Tamanna Sharma, the Founder of Earthling First
Author: Simran K Parmar
A post graduate in English Literature, secular humanist, critical thinker, an outspoken atheist, follower of equality and a lover of philosophy. craftedfashion94@gmail.com
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