HVK Archives: Zoo off limits for females on Eid
Zoo off limits for females on Eid - DAWN, Karachi
AFP
()
18 April 1997
Title: Zoo off limits for females on Eid
Author: AFP
Publication: DAWN, Karachi
Date: April 18, 1997
KARACHI, April 17: Once again the entry of females will be banned
into the Karachi zoological garden for all three days of Eid. The
ban on females' entry has been in force on all Eid days for well
over a decade, following an ugly incident.
In the late '80s, female family members of a retired army official
were harassed and almost molested on an Eid day by hoodlums who
usually visit the garden en masse on such occasions. No policemen
were present at the time of the incident, according to the Zoo
officials. It was against this backdrop that the then Mayor,
banned the entry of female visitors to the Zoological garden.
Wednesdays are reserved exclusively for female visitors to the
Zoo.
Observers said that it was very unfortunate that no punitive
action was taken against the culprits. KMC administrator Anzar
Zaidi said he had been told about the situation only a few days
ago, hence he has decided to continue with the ban this year,
but would surely monitor the situation and decide whether or not
to continue with the ban in future. Director, parks, Hanif Nasir
said this sensitive issue should be decided by the elected
representatives, once and for all.
More than 40, to 50,000 visitors throng to the garden each day
during Eid, as against the capacity of 10, to 15,000. Under the
present circumstances it is not possible to control the crowd, he
said. Only a small contingent of police is posted in Zoological
garden on such occasions which is insufficient for controlling
such huge crowds, he added. In spite of reports of eve-teasing and
harassment, observers said that they do notice women and children
at Hill Park and Clifton Beach, apparently, it is because the
people of this sprawling megapolis are starved for recreation,
especially when a large number of amenity plots have been
converted into residential and commercial projects.
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