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National Zoological Park




Timing 0800 to 1800 hours (summer), 0900 to 1700 hours (winter) except Friday
Best Time to Visit Throughout the year
Main Attraction 22,000 varieties of Animals and Birds
Covered Area 214 acres
Designed by Major Weinman of Sri Lanka and Carl Hagenbeck of West Germany
Location Close to Purana Qila or Old Fort

National Zoological Park is situated close to Old Fort or Purana Qila in Delhi. This is one among the largest and best zoos in Asian continent. This park is designed to serve as natural habitat of birds and animals that in turn deliver comfortable feeling to those habitants.

It was established in the year 1959 in an area of about 214 acres. The design was laid by West Germany’s Carl Hagenbeck and Sri Lanka’s Major Weinman.

National Zoological Park acts as home to more than 2000 species of birds and animals from Asia, America, Australia and Africa. One can also view Kos Minar in this park which was developed by Jahangir, the great Mughal emperor.

There is a library on wild life inside this park which carries quality information about the origination of this park and various wild lives inside this park. The entire park is highly spacious with widely constructed cell for every animal.

National Zoological Park is an ideal place for one day trip with family. This is the favorite destination for kids as they like to watch various wild animals including Gir lion, African Wild Buffalo, Spider Monkey, Hippopotamus and Chimpanzee etc.

There is an option of hiring open-roofed vans to travel inside this park. This is the best option to avoid scorching sun during summer season. This is the perfect place to plan for picnic during winter season.

History

After several decades of formation of New Delhi, they developed this Zoo in Delhi. Though the idea of possessing a zoo in the capital city was aroused in the year 1951, this park was opened during November 1959. During 1952, a committee was formed by Indian Board for Wildlife to develop a zoo in Delhi. It was upto Indian Government to construct a zoological park and present it as a working organization. The location for the construction was identified during 1953 and in 1955, N.D. Bachkheti of Indian Forest Service was appointed to supervise this work.

At the beginning, Major Aubrey Weinman of Ceylon Zoological Garden (presently known as National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka) was appointed to draw the sketch for this zoo, but because of his other assignments, Carl Hagenbeck of Zoological Garden of Hamburg was recruited to finish the job. Hagenbeck submitted the preliminary plan during March 1956, which was then recommended to include moated enclosures. It was later modified to fit into Indian conditions and later on approved by Indian government in the month of December 1956.

By 1959, they finished the north portion of the zoo and started accommodating animals in temporary sheds which were then shifted to permanent homes. It was inaugurated as Delhi Zoo on November 1, 1959. In the year 1982, it took the official name of National Zoological Park and became a role model for various zoos in India.

Facilities

Open-roofed vans are available inside the zoo at reasonable rate and it is good choice for visitors to escape from the scorching sun during summer season. It also serves as good picnic spot with good parks inside this barrier. Good drinking water is available at several water points, but it is best to carry water bottle. There is also a cafeteria outside this park.

The Fauna

The road on the right hand side leads to cages of animals like Zebras, Gir Lion, African Wild Buffalo, Spider Monkey, Hippopotamus and Chimpanzee etc., the road on left hand side leads to water animals. The swamps of water birds looks beautiful during the time of migratory session, when Jaguar, Hog Dear, Peafowl, Fallow Deer, Axis Deer, Hyenas, Emu, Banteng, Macaque take refuge here. The center point of zoo is designed for underground reptiles like Pythons, king Cobra and various other species.

Best Time to Visit

The perfect time to tour this National Zoological Park is between the months of October and March. This is the best time with pleasant climate.

How to Reach

One can easily travel to this destination by Auto Rickshaw, Car/Taxi/Coach on rent, Buses or Metro Trains.

  • Nearest Metro Station: Khan Market
  • Distance from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station: 4 Kms
  • Distance from IGI Airport New Delhi: 22 Kms

Visitor Information

http://nzpnewdelhi.gov.in/timing_tariff.htm

OUR PLANING

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