The 65th Vanya Prani Saptah and 56th Zoo Day were celebrated at Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad. On this occasion, the Chief Guest Dr. S.K. Joshi, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana and Rajeshwar Tiwari, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, EFS & T Department, Telangana, Hyderabad visited Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad Smt.R.Shoba, IFS, PCCF (HoFF) & CWW, Telanagana, Munindra, PCCF( Admin) and A.V.Joseph, IFS, Rtd PCCF released a pair of Lion Tailed Macaque into the enclosure for the public display. These animals were brought from Vandaluru Zoo, Chennai as a part of animal exchange programme. Later, the Chief Secretary along with the Special Chief Secretary and Zoo Officials inaugurated the renovated Butterfly Park. This open butterfly park is first in its kind in India and housing more than (35) species of butterflies.
Dr. Sidanand Kukrety, I.F.S., Addl. Prl. Chief Conservator of Forests/ C.F & Director Zoo Parks, Hyderabad and N. Kshitija, I.F.S., Curator, Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad welcomed the dignitaries on the dais, felicitated to the Major donors to the zoo. O.P.Mishra, Chief General Manager, SBI and SriCharan, MD, Varsity Educational Institutes, Hyd. and also felicitated to Sri.A.V.Joseph, IFS, Rtd.for his major contribution in developing the zoo. Royal Admin, Roaring Lions, Green Warriors and Zoo Corps were (4) teams in the Zoo participated in the various sports events like Cricket, Kabaddi, Tennikoit, Chess, Carroms, Badminton, Tug of War, Musical Chairs, Lemon & Spoon etc., The Chief Secretary, The Spl. Chief Secretary and PCCF distributed the prizes to the winners.
Speaking on the occasion, S.K. Joshi, IAS, Chief Secretary to Government of Telangana said that, he is happy to be a part of the 56th Zoo day celebrations of the Nehru Zoological Park, established in the year 1963.
• This zoo is considered as pioneer among all other Zoos in the country in introducing Safari Park, Nocturnal Animal House, Open Enclosures and several other initiatives.
• Successful breeding of indigenous species Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, Herbivores, Antelopes, Gaur, Reptiles and almost all species of Birds including Exotic species, has placed Nehru zoological Park as one among the top three (3) zoos of the country.
• The animal diversity in the zoo and sprawling gardens and pleasant climate of zoo is attracting approximately 29 lakh visitors every year.
• Much emphasis is being laid on providing better Visitor amenities in near future which a very welcome trend.
• A very huge aviary is being built to house several indigenous and exotic bird and I understand that it will be the first of its kind in the country. The Chief Secretary congratulated the officers for their innovative thinking and implementation of works.
• This year the zoo added a pair of Giraffe, a pair of King Cobra, and several other species as part of animal exchange programme and several other are in pipeline. Adding new species to the collection would certainly provide the visitors interested in visiting the park again.
• As it is rightly said we have borrowed our natural resources from our future generations and have the responsibility to hand it over to them with interest. I appreciate the various educational Programmes being taken up by the zoo team for creating awareness among the students and public.
• The Zoo provides free visits to the students of the Government Schools and concessional programme to other private schools, which are important for creating awareness amongst the future generations. I congratulate all the children who have participated and won prizes in the various events conducted as a part of Zoo Day Celebrations.
• I also congratulate all the zoo staff who have participated in the sports and games conducted with team spirit.
• I am happy to announce that our Zoo is getting two pairs of Kangaroos and a pair of Meerkats from Yokohoma Zoological Garden, Japan very shortly through an exchange programme. I appreciate the hard work done by all officers and staff towards this.
• The dedicated team of Nehru Zoological Park will no doubt achieve laurels and I wish the team a huge success.
Speaking on the occasion, Sri Rajeshwar Tiwari, IAS, Special Chief Secretary to EFS & T, Government of Telangana said that Today, we all are celebrating 66th Vanya prani saptah and 56th Zoo day celebrations of Nehru Zoological Park today and I am happy to be a part of it.
• Hyderabad zoo has been a forerunner in many of the initiatives for meeting the objectives of zoos i.e., Conservation, Education, Research and Recreation.
• The natural habitat simulated enclosures support successful breeding of all indigenous and exotic species.
• The zoo is a home to around 1800 animals of 173 species. The well-maintained enclosures, healthy animals and greenery make it one of the most visited tourist destinations of the country.
• The introduction of Walk-in aviary concept in two bird enclosures, improvement in the reptile enclosure by introducing new species, interactive talk shows by animal keepers with the visitors, self-sustainable fodder plots, sale of vermicompost etc., are some of the initiatives taken in the past year that have become a huge success.
• Increasing the restrooms facilities, more R O drinking water units, visitor feedback mechanism, AC safari bus, more Battery-operated vehicle etc., are few of the measures taken to cater to the needs of general public.
• It is happy to see the butterfly park with around 36 species opened for public again after a gap of several years.
• It is also happy to see that several species have been brought to NZP under animal exchange programme and that many are in pipeline.
• The sports and games conducted as part of the zoo day celebrations have no doubt contributed in the team building of the zoo staff and will help in increasing their work efficiency.
• I congratulate all the 380 school children who have participated in various events conducted as a part of Zoo Day celebrations. Their participation is a sign of growing awareness and sense of responsibility towards wildlife.
• The dedicated efforts of all the staff from various sections of the zoo including the animal, garden, security and veterinary is visible and I urge one and all to continue to work with zeal and enthisasm and take NZP Hyderabad to great heights.
• I sincerely appreciate all the donors who have been relentlessly supporting Nehru Zoo Park for the past several years and take this opportunity to request one and to come forward and support Zoo park in conservation of our precious wildlife.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. R. Shoba, I.F.S., Prl. Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Telangana said that
• On the occasion of 66th Vanya Prani Saptah and 56th Zoo Day being celebrated today, I feel happy be to see all the stakeholders here today.
• Our zoo spread in 380 acres, is a home to approximately 1800 animals belonging to 173 species. This is the only major zoo in Telangana, and it attracts visitors from not only Telangana but also from across the country which is evident from out annual visitation.
• Our animal health care management practices are one of the best in the country, which is possible with the round the clock veterinary care by our strong team, the dedicated animal section staff. The contribution and support of LACCONES, BVRI and other institutions in Hyderabad has also been great in this direction.
• We are providing many visitor amenities like Canteen, Dairy Parlor, Food Court, Purified Water Units (R.O Units), Baby feeding Centres, Bicycles, Pagodas, Benches, Sit outs, Amrutha Clinic, Children Park, Wheel Chairs and Wash Rooms. Improvement of visitor facilities are under progress.
• Our zoo has always been successful in breeding of almost all indigenous species like the Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, Herbivores, Antelopes, Gaur, Reptiles and Birds.
• The trainings organized for Zoo staff are very much essential for their capacity building and increase in work efficiency. The animal keepers training sponsored by the CZA has also provided a good exposure to the animal keepers.
• All the Eco days are being celebrated in the Zoo involving school and college students and visitors.
• This year Aldabra tortoise, Giraffe, Hippo, Lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Grey wolf have been brought to zoo under animal exchange programme. Many more are in pipeline.
• The enthusiasm of the zoo staff in participating in the sports and games events is worth mentioning. I congratulate one and all for their participation and performance.
• It is happy to note that 380 children from 20 school participated in the events organized for the Zoo day. I congratulate all the students and parents.
