Telangana: Telangana recorded two major developments in wildlife conservation this week as Hyderabad’s Nehru Zoological Park received its sixth consecutive ISO certification, and the state government launched India’s first Tiger Protection Cell to expand real-time monitoring in forest regions.
Nehru Zoological Park Achieves ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 Certification Again
On November 25, Nehru Zoological Park was awarded ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications for the sixth year in a row by HYM International Certifications Pvt. Ltd. The audit, conducted earlier this month, assessed the zoo’s adherence to international benchmarks for quality management and environmental sustainability. The park also became the first zoo in the country to receive a 5-Star Quality Rating.
The certificates were presented in the presence of Telangana Environment and Forests Minister Konda Surekha. Senior officials attending the ceremony included Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) Dr. C. Suvarna, Chief Wildlife Warden Elusingh Meru, and Director of Zoo Parks Dr. Sunil S. Hiremath. Curator J. Vasantha accepted the certificates on behalf of the zoo.
Officials noted that the zoo demonstrated strong internal processes, visitor management systems, skill development initiatives, and emergency response mechanisms. ISO 9001:2015 focuses on quality management systems, while ISO 14001:2015 pertains to environmental management and legal compliance. These standards align with national environmental laws, including the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The certifications reaffirm the zoo’s alignment with statutory conservation frameworks such as the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The recognition places the zoo among the leading conservation institutions in the country for operational transparency and sustainable practices.
Telangana Launches India’s First Tiger Protection Cell
In another development, the Telangana Forest Department launched India’s first Tiger Protection Cell to enhance surveillance and safety across tiger habitats. The system includes a Tiger Monitoring Cell and Command Hub based in Hyderabad, supported by field-level centres in Mannanur and Mancherial.
The cell is designed to track tiger movement using real-time surveillance technology, including sensor-based alerts and geospatial monitoring tools. These alerts will enable staff to respond quickly to emergencies in tiger reserves and areas where human activity intersects with wildlife corridors.
At the launch, Minister Konda Surekha highlighted the cell’s role in strengthening monitoring across the state’s tiger landscapes. The initiative is rooted in Section 38V of the Wildlife Protection Act, which mandates Tiger Conservation Plans and monitoring mechanisms under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). These mechanisms are part of the broader conservation framework established under Project Tiger.
The operational structure of the Tiger Protection Cell also incorporates provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The system includes communication measures to ensure that alerts reach local authorities and communities living in forest areas, supporting safety efforts and compliance with disaster-management protocols during wildlife-related incidents.
Governance, Compliance, and Future Plans
The dual achievements—ISO recognition for Nehru Zoological Park and the launch of the Tiger Protection Cell—highlight ongoing efforts in Telangana to strengthen wildlife administration through legal compliance and technological innovation. The zoo’s certification aligns with India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), while the new monitoring cell supports NTCA mandates for conservation planning in tiger reserves.
Forest department officials noted that the integration of technology with statutory conservation requirements may serve as a reference point for other states exploring similar monitoring models. The initiative also aligns with digital-governance priorities under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Both developments are expected to be showcased at the upcoming Telangana Rising programme on November 28, 2025, at ICCC Hyderabad. During the event, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will be briefed on the recent achievements and ongoing conservation initiatives.
