• The Central Zoo Authority was established as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests by the Government of India in the year 1992. The Authority consists of a Chairman, ten members and a Member Secretary.
• It is chaired by the Environment Minister.
• The main objective is to strengthen the national effort in conservation of the rich biodiversity of the country, particularly the fauna as per the National Zoo Policy, 1998.
• Other objectives of this Authority include- enforcing minimum standards and norms for upkeep and healthcare of animals in Indian zoos and to control mushrooming of unplanned and ill-conceived zoos.
• The authority lays down guidelines and prescribes rules under which animals may be transferred among zoos nationally and internationally.

Why in the news?

• The Environment Ministry has expanded CZA to include an expert from the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, and a molecular biologist.
• In another decision,  CZA has allowed zoos to take a call on opening them to visitors in the phases of unlock.