The Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee with new attractions and initiatives. These include a Rose Garden, Lotus Pond, Insect World, and more. The zoo has been a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and a center for conservation efforts for many years.
The zoo was established in 1959 and officially opened on October 6, 1963. It covers an area of 380 acres and is located near the Mir Alam Tank bund, an arch bund dam that was built 200 years ago.
To commemorate the Diamond Jubilee, the zoo will have a pylon decorated with Telangana State symbols, which will serve as a selfie point for visitors. A Rose Garden and Lotus Pond will also be open to the public. The veterinary hospital in the zoo is being modernized and will be inaugurated during the celebrations.
In collaboration with the Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI), Mulugu, the zoo has introduced an Insect World to raise awareness about beneficial and non-beneficial insects. There will also be competitions for school children, a library, and a screening of a short film about the zoo in three languages.
Dr. Sunil S Hiremath, the curator of the Nehru Zoological Park, emphasizes the importance of promoting indigenous plant varieties in landscaping and horticulture. However, the park is facing challenges due to pollution from the Mir Alam Tank. The polluted water seeps into the enclosures, posing potential health risks to the animals.
Despite these challenges, the Nehru Zoological Park is determined to continue its mission of conservation and education. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations will also include the release of posters, a coffee table book, a new logo, and a mascot for the zoo.
