TripsGuru - India Travel & Tourism

The Zoo

National Zoological Park is one of the finest and largest zoos in Asia and efforts have been made to provide an almost natural habitat to the animals and birds herein New Delhi.

Established in 1959 and is spread over a massive area of 214 acres. Delhi Zoo is home to more than 2000 species of animals and birds from Africa, America, Australia and Asia. The Zoo was set up in 1959. It is regarded as one of the finest zoos in Asia and efforts have been made to provide an almost natural habitat to the animals and the birds. It is a good spot for picnics. It has an early 17th century Kos Minar, which was one of the many, put up by Jehangir, son of the emperor, Akbar. As you climb up the red sandstone gate, you get a chance to admire the vast expanse of the Zoological Park. The winding pathways here are laid with the red Badarpur gravel, and the green shrubs demarcate the red with the undulating brown-green vast stretches of grass.

An idyllic picnic spot in winters, the serenity of the greens here is pleasing and offers a delightful respite from the humdrum of the city. The winding pathways lead to the administrative building with a library on the right side where you can get all the information on animals, birds and plants of both and rare zoological species in India.

This place is particularly popular among the children, they love to see Chimpanzee, Hippopotamus, Spider monkey, African Wild Buffalo, the Gir Lion and Zebras, thee water animals and birds such as Macaque, Banteng, Emu, Hyenas, Axis deer, Fallow deer, Peafowl, Hog Dear and the Jaguar. The underground Reptile Home complex displays a wide array of snakes such as King Cobra and Pythons. Besides these, there are more than 200 varieties of trees here including the hanging deep yellow Alamtas hedges, the drought resistant Lahura trees and the native Delhi bistendu.

Location

National Zoological Park or the zoo of Delhi is one of the finest zoos in Asia and is situated close to Purana Qila or Old Fort.

History

The Indian Board for Wildlife felt in the year 1952 to have a zoo in the national capital of the country to provide recreation to people at large. Accordingly, an ad-hoc committee of some prominent nature lovers of Delhi, including Smt. Indira Gandhi, was constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Commissioner to formulate a proposal for establishment of Zoological Park for Delhi. Mr M.E.F.Bowring Welsh, of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was appointed as its Secretary. The committee met on 9th September, 1953 and approved the site between Purana Quila and Humayun’s Tomb for the purpose. It was also decided that the Central Government will develop the park and hand it over in running condition to the Delhi Government since wildlife was managed by Forest Department of the Delhi Government. An official from Indian Forest Service Mr. N.D.Bachkheti was assigned the duty on 1st October 1955 to setup this Zoo.

Major Weinmann, Director of the Ceylon Zoological Garden, Colombo was invited to help draw a co-ordinated plan for development of the Park. He submitted a report alongwith a preliminary plan. As he was not available for continued consultations, it was decided to procure the services of Mr Carl Hagenbeck, owner of the famous Animal Park at Hamburg, West Germany, who gave the idea of open moat enclosures.

He presented a preliminary report in March 1956 and provided a general layout plan of waterways, roads & paths, animal enclosures and sewage system. The plans were amended in the light of Ceylon Zoological Garden local conditions and topography of the ground. The Government of India approved this amended plan on 31st December, 1956.

By the end of 1959, construction had sufficiently advanced. The roads, waterways, moats, ponds and animal houses had been constructed over the Northern half of the area, lawns laid and plantation done. With the announcement of establishment of a Zoological Park at Delhi, gifts of animals started coming from State Government and individuals. They were kept in temporary enclosures around Azimganj Sarai, an enclosed square courtyard built for temporary halt for travellers during the Mughal days. The collection comprising of Tigers, Leopards, Bears, Foxes, Monkeys, Deer, Antelope and many birds were finally transferred to their permanent enclosures. The Park was formally inaugurated on 1st November, 1959 by Mr Punjab Rao Deshmukh, Hon’ble Minister of the Government of India. This Park was initially known as Delhi Zoo. In the year 1982 it was given the status of the National Zoological Park with the idea of it being the model zoo of the country.

Here at the National Zoological Park, birds and animals live in an environment that in many ways resemble their natural habitat. The National Zoological Park not only provides a home for endangered species, but also helps them to breed in captivity. Eventually they may once again thrive in the wild.

Facilities in the zoo

There are open-roofed mobile vans available at affordable charges within the zoo and is the best option for tourists to avoid the exertion and heat of Delhi's summer season. This place is also a good picnic spot as there are a number of parks in the complex. There are ample numbers of water points and drinking water facility, still its better to carry your own water bottle. A cafeteria is also available outside the zoo.

Wildlife at Delhi Zoo

The right walkway brings you to the cages of the animals such as Chimpanzee, Hippopotamus, Spider monkey, African Wild Buffalo, Gir Lion and Zebras etc. While, the left one leads you to the enclosures of the water animals. You cal also see a number of migratory birds like Peafowl, Hyenas, Macaque, Jaguar, etc in the swamps made for the water birds. At the heart of the zoo, lies the underground Reptile Home complex for the nocturnal animals like King Cobra, Pythons and a number of other species.

Fauna at Delhi Zoo

There are approximately 200 varieties of trees in the National Zoological Park of Delhi, properly displayed with their respective descriptions. Some of them are hanging deep yellow Alamtas or the Phulahi hedges, drought resistant Lahura trees, Delhi Bistendu, etc.

The best way to view New Delhi National Zoological Gardens is on an open-roofed mobile van, available at affordable charges within the zoo. There is also a cafeteria outside the zoo.

Best Time to Visit

It is advisable to visit the zoological park in the early hours of its opening or late in the afternoon before it closes. Summer months should be avoided as most of the animals prefer to rest in their hideouts and are not easily seen though tigers and bears can be seen cooling off in the moats surrounding their enclosures. Weekends should be avoided, as it is very crowded on these days. Feeding and teasing of animals is prohibited, though insensitive visitors are often seen doing so.

How to Reach

Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach the zoological park, which is located near Mathura Road or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or metro rail. The zoo is known as ‘chiriyaghar’ among residents of Delhi.

Nearest Railway Station: Nizamuddin Railway Station Nearest Metro Station: Central Secretariat Functional Metro Station: Central Secretariat Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport

Tourist Attractions

Nearby Tourist Attractions Walking distance: Nila Gumbad on southeastern side, Purana Qila, Humayun’s Tomb, Sabz Burz, Nili Chhatri; In 3 km radius: India Gate, Ashokan Rock Edict, Nizam-ud-din’s Shrine, Khairul Manzil Masjid.

Nearby Places to Eat: Sweet Corner, Nathu’s (both in Sunder Nagar Market), Hotel Oberoi, Flavors of Defence colony, Indian Habitat Center in Lodi Road, Karims at Nizamuddin and roadside food stalls.

Nearby Shopping Venues: Sunder Nagar Market (antiques, jewelry, brassware), Connaught Place (jewelry, books, art galleries, leather goods and clothes) Central Cottage Industries Emporia (merchandise and curios), Janpath (clothes and low priced gifts, souvenirs and curios) and Palika Bazaar (electronic items).

Time to Visit

Open on all days except Friday Preferred Timings: 1st April - 15 October: 9.00 am- 4.30 pm / 16 October - 31st March: 9.30 am- 4.00 pm. Admission Fee: Indian citizen: INR 5 / Foreigner: INR 10 Photography Charges: Video Camera: Self: INR. 50 / Commercial: INR. 500