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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
Ropeway, walk-in aviary, electric toy train among Hyderabad Zoo's major modernisation plans
The iconic Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad, one of the oldest zoos in India, is set to receive a significant facelift. As part of a newly revised master plan, the park will undergo extensive modernisation aimed at enhancing visitor experience and animal welfare, with a strong focus on environmental sensitivity. The ambitious upgradation project incorporates several key attractions and infrastructure improvements. A major highlight will be the introduction of a ropeway, which will offer visitors a unique aerial view of the zoo's popular safari park. Also on the cards is an immersive walk-in aviary that allows visitors to experience diverse bird species up close in a more naturalistic environment. The animal enclosures will also see a significant overhaul, with the construction of modern night houses designed to improve comfort, safety, and care for the zoo's residents. 'Our goal is to make the safari truly immersive. Instead of isolated sightings, visitors will soon witness the dynamic interactions of full lion prides and groups of bears, engaging in natural behaviours like foraging for strategically hidden meat. It's about bringing their world to life for our visitors,' Sunil S Hiremath, Director of Telangana Zoos, told on Wednesday. According to the officials, approval for these projects is expected to be received within the next three months, and the projects will be operationalised by the end of next year. To bolster environmental sensitivity, an electric toy train will be introduced, replacing the existing diesel train. It offers an eco-friendly and enjoyable mode of transport for visitors to navigate the expansive park. Officials stated that the enhancements are part of a comprehensive strategy to modernise the Nehru Zoological Park, so that it continues to be a leading conservation and recreational hub for future generations. The project underscores the park's commitment to animal welfare and to the millions of visitors it attracts each year. 'Since constraints are an issue, we are exploring public-private partnerships for all these projects. The zoo is joining hands with the Musi Riverfront Development project as part of revival of Mir Alam Tank and some of the projects will go in tandem with the Riverfront project,' Hiremath said. He said that enhancing the safari experience by showcasing animals in their natural social structures is the aim. The zoo is also actively pursuing a series of inter-zoo animal exchange programs to strengthen the genetic diversity. 'This initiative aims to diversify the genetic pool of its animal populations, ensuring a more robust and healthier collection across all species,' the director added. The facility is also gearing up to introduce a new attraction by setting up one of the largest aquariums, similar to the renowned aquarium in Singapore. Home to over 2,300 animals representing 194 species, the zoo boasts the largest animal collection in the country and ranks among the biggest in terms of area. Rahul V Pisharody is an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express Online and has been reporting from Telangana on various issues since 2019. Besides a focused approach to big news developments, Rahul has a keen interest in stories about Hyderabad and its inhabitants and looks out for interesting features on the city's heritage, environment, history culture etc. His articles are straightforward and simple reads in sync with the context. Rahul started his career as a journalist in 2011 with The New Indian Express and worked in different roles at the Hyderabad bureau for over 8 years. As Deputy Metro Editor, he was in charge of the Hyderabad bureau of the newspaper and coordinated with the team of district correspondents, centres and internet desk for over three years. A native of Palakkad in Kerala, Rahul has a Master's degree in Communication (Print and New Media) from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Long motorcycle rides and travel photography are among his other interests. ... Read More
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Hyderabad Zoo to set up Singapore-model tunnel-like aquarium
Hyderabad's Nehru Zoological Park, which boasts being the country's oldest and with the largest and most diverse animal collection, is gearing up for a new attraction – one of the largest aquariums akin to the famous one in Singapore. An underwater tunnel will take a visitor through the massive aquarium that will have the capacity to hold 3 million litres of water, showcasing diverse marine aquatic life, ranging from sharks to exotic fishes. Sources said the authorities are trying to reach out to marine aquarium specialist firms from Singapore and Australia for investment to build the grand, modern, and immersive tunnel-like aquarium on the one-acre land parcel identified behind the existing aquarium. The zoo authorities have received approval from the Zoo Board and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) for the Rs 50-crore project. 'We are preparing a proposal for approval from the Central Zoo Authority. It will be worked out in a public-private partnership as zoos cannot afford the investment. We have a land and since it(aquarium) has a high potential for visitors, we thought of inviting investors on a revenue-sharing model,' Sunil S Hiremath told It all started a month ago as part of the master plan revision, he added. The zoo authorities have envisaged the project in such a way as to make it an educational and interactive experience for visitors through advanced augmented reality or virtual reality equipment. Currently, officials have studied the Aquatic Gallery in Science City, Ahmedabad (Gujarat), one of the largest in the country, for inspiration. 'The cost of the aquarium would depend on the investor and vendor. We are estimating about Rs 50 crore and hope to operationalise the new aquarium by the end of 2026. We may not become the largest in the country but we wish to offer a world-class experience. The plans are in a very nascent stage,' Hiremath added. Authorities said the nature of the aquarium will be decided based on educational, awareness, and entertainment purposes. For instance, aquariums act as a powerful educational tool by raising awareness on the impacts of increasing carbon emissions, sea pollution, water pollution, and declining aquatic species. 'For Nehru Zoo, our preliminary study shows that the optimum-sized aquarium will be an important addition to the modernisation programme currently undertaken. The research shows that the recently built India's largest modern aquarium in Gujarat Science City is running very successfully and has attracted around 10,00,000 visitors annually,' said a source. A modern aquarium would ideally feature an underwater tunnel aquarium exhibit – exhibiting marine water large and medium-sized exotic species, marine water smaller exhibits of various sizes, fresh water and brackish water exhibits, he added. Located in the older part of Hyderabad, the Nehru Zoological Park houses nearly 2,300 animals, and 194 bird species.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nehru Zoological Park to soon have one of India's largest aquariums
Hyderabad: The city will soon be home to one of India's largest aquariums, showcasing diverse fish species collected from across the globe, including Asia, Africa and America. It will be developed within a one acre plot in the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP). The project is estimated to cost around Rs 50 crore and will be executed through a public private partnership (PPP) model, according to the forest department. This state-of-the-art aquarium will exclusively display exotic fish species. The NZP is awaiting approval from the central zoo authority. At present the zoo has 15 small aquarium exhibits that showcase both freshwater and marine water species. The aquarium design incorporates a tunnel-style structure that allows visitors to walk through. Currently, the Aquatic Gallery in Science City, Ahmedabad (Gujarat), and Marine World in Thrissur (Kerala) are among the two biggest public aquariums in the country. While the Aquatic Gallery occupies 15,000 square metres, the proposed facility in NZP will cover around 4,000 square metres. "A comprehensive master plan like the one in Ahmedabad is under development. The facility will be finalised by 2026. The project involves collaboration between private entities and multinational firms from Singapore and Australia, who specialise in fish aquarium. This will serve as a distinctive feature at Hyderabad zoo and will draw more crowds," zoo director Sunil S Hiremath told TOI. Tiger enclosure coming soon In addition to the aquarium, a bullet-proof glass enclosure for tigers is being planned. The zoo board has sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the project, which includes a 50 metre wide glass barrier which will allow visitors to see tigers at close quarters through the protective glass.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Hans India
A record 24K animal lovers visit Nehru Zoo Park on Sunday
Hyderabad: The Nehru Zoological Park on Sunday witnessed a heavy influx of animal lovers, clocking about 24,000 visitors. In view of the summer holidays and pleasant weather, many visitors and enthusiasts made the zoo their destination for the day's outing. With prior preparations, the zoo management had made adequate arrangements for facilities, including deputing a greater number of security personnel at different locations, additional booking counters, extra battery-operated vehicles and drinking water units. According to authorities, there was some wait time for visitors due to heavy rush, but additional reinforcements quickly responded to the rise in numbers. Dr Sunil S Hiremath, director, expressed sincere gratitude to visitors for choosing the zoo as their favourite holiday destination. The zoo has more than 194 species of animals. It is the first zoo in India to have animals arranged in zoological order in open enclosures. Such open enclosures in near natural ambiance make animals feel at home. The mode of display is either open moats or cages. In view of a greater number of visitors during the day, special animal talk shows, reptile awareness shows have been conducted to promote wildlife conservation awareness among visitors with emphasis on importance of protecting animals and their habitats, promoting the idea that wildlife is essential for a healthy planet and our well-being. The zoo is aligning with World Environment Day theme 'End Plastic Pollution' by creating public awareness to help make it plastic-free.
