Rafique Aziz
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A visit to India’s top-ranked planned zoo, the Zoological Park at Mitmita, promises to be a memorable experience for visitors, especially children and teenagers. As they move through the park, painted paw prints and vibrant wildlife murals along the pathways will guide them towards the animal enclosures. Informative signages displaying scientific details about the animals will also be a key feature.
It is worth noting that municipal commissioner and chief executive officer (Smart City Mission) Amol Yedge visited the park on April 10 to review the progress of work. During his inspection, he suggested introducing colour-coded pathways based on animal species and breeds, along with distinct colour themes for enclosures of animals such as lions and tigers.
Chief Garden Officer of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC), Vijay Patil, said that the coloured pathways are expected to be completed by June–July. He explained that, for instance, pathways leading to the tiger enclosure could feature its footprints or pugmarks, along with display boards providing scientific information about the species. The park has a total of 34 wildlife enclosures, and the pathways leading to them will be enhanced using different colours and plastic paints. This initiative is expected to improve the aesthetic appeal of the park while also creating a playful and engaging environment for children and students. He added that only a few major zoos in the country currently offer such student-friendly features.
The approved area of the zoo by Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is around 55–60 hectares, of which approximately 10 hectares are designated for animal enclosures. The park’s pathways are constructed using Khandki, paving blocks, and white-topping (cement concrete). The expansive campus will also include facilities such as an auditorium for slide shows, a rescue centre for treating injured animals from across the region, an electric crematorium, electric vehicle (EV) carts for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and a food court.
Project Manager Sneha Mohan stated that the park is being developed under the Smart City Mission, with an estimated cost exceeding Rs 230 crore. The zoo will house over 700 wildlife animals across 31 species in 34 enclosures. In addition, 22 species of birds will be accommodated in 20 enclosures, along with a large segmented enclosure for 15 species of reptiles. Key attractions will include animals such as the black-and-yellow striped tiger, white tiger, Asiatic lion, jaguar, panther, leopard, sloth bear, hippopotamus, blackbuck and chinkara. The park will also feature a wide variety of birds, including flamingos, spoonbills and painted storks, as well as reptiles such as cobras, sand boas, pythons, crocodiles, turtles and tortoises.