Page 52 - Ex-Situ Updates - Double Edition

ZOO in focus

Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park,

Chhatbir, Punjab

Text & Photos: Mr. M.Sudhagar, IFS, Ex-Field Director MCZP, Chhatbir

M.C Zoological Park, popularly known as Chhatbir aspects like visitor facilities and the overall ambiance
Zoo, is one of the largest zoos in Northern India. It of the zoo. This has further led to the zoo

caters to the needs of wildlife tourism and education management initiating various new eco-friendly
not only to the citizens of Punjab and Haryana and programs viz: adopting battery-operated visitor carts
Chandigarh but also to the tourists who visit from and service vehicles, ensuring plastic-free zones and a
adjoining states. garbage-free environment, initiating solid waste

management and production of compost. The natural
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environment of the zoo has significantly improved and
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The zoo spans across an expanse of 505 Acres and
T e z o s a n c o s n e p n e o 0 5 A c e n e v r n e t f t e z o h s s g n f a n l p r v d n
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houses close to 1,500 animals of 125 species of wild this has provided an opportunity to sensitize zoo
fauna. This area was once a hunting reserve of the visitors towards a more holistic approach towards
Maharaja of Patiala. The location next to the Ghaggar sustainable living and a lower carbon footprint.
river, its alluvial plain landscape, the rich natural
Biodiversity, and the pollution-free environment, make Chhatbir Zoo has many special and unique attractions
it one of the most naturalistic settings for a zoo in the such as Chhatbir Bird Park, Wildlife Safari (Lion Safari
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By having seven different themes in architecture and
In today's times, with greater global connectivity and species composition, the Chhatbir Bird Park has
several information channels, the expectations of zoo become one of the longest and largest walk-in-aviary
visitors have altered significantly. This is true not only in India and the most attractive and visited facility of
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in terms of animal displays but also in the other the Zoo in recent times.

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