Rajiv Gandhi Zoo- Where we are one with nature!

Black-bucks:Peaceful repose!

Water-snakes:Cool sight!

                 Last Sunday, we went to the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Center in Katraj. It is about 15 kms. away from Shivajinagar Station and probably equidistant from Pune Station too. It’s amazing that such a verdant, forest-like area is situated within the city’s limits. After you buy the entrance fees of Rs. 15/- for adults, (Rs. 5/- for children and Rs. 50/- for foreigners) you are stopped at the entrance for ensuring that you don’t carry thin plastic carry bags into the reserved area. We were pleased to see that the ‘no plastic’ rule was being strictly enforced there.

                   Once inside the place, you are handed a map of the zoo along with general instructions regarding the visit. The first stop, of course, is the Snake Park. Various varieties of snakes like vipers, cobras, pythons, water-snakes, etc. and turtles, iguanas, alligators, crocodiles, etc. hypnotize the viewers to observe their movements for many breath-taking moments. A display with a glass box filled with stones informs viewers that these were the stones thrown by the visitors at the snakes. Hence one is cautioned to be humane towards the reptiles.

                   Various boards proclaim the species, their distinguishing features, habitats, food habits and variety; beside each pit. A display of posters depicts how one could protect oneself from snake-bites. Another hoarding displays facts regarding how the snakes use their mouths to devour their prey. A poster also informs people about how the antidote serum (Anti-venom) to treat snake-bite, is actually derived from the snakes’ venom itself.

Star-backed tortoise - Snoozing?

                   We sat awhile at a small amphitheater created there, probably to show films on the conservation of wildlife, to small groups of visitors. After having some sandwiches, we started visiting the various areas earmarked for birds and animals. The paths have been concretized, (an earlier visit had us hot and dusty, as the paths weren’t in place then); but this time, it was a very pleasant experience. Clean toilets and drinking water supply at regular intervals in the zoo, were a welcome relief. No more searching for broad-trunk trees to shield us from the public gaze while answering nature’s call in the wild! Benches and small lawns to lounge have been thoughtfully provided throughout the zoo’s premises. There is even a nice hall with stone benches all around to have that picnic lunch or to snooze and have a breather!

                 For those who are too lazy to walk or those who are unable to walk due to old age, etc. battery-operated vehicles ferry the visitors throughout the zoo; stopping at the various enclosures en-route.

                  We saw a monkey playfully hanging from the branches of a tree, a prickly porcupine bristling with energy and walking about animatedly, a shiny black bear ambling, black-bucks, sambars and neelgai strolling, a leopard snoozing, elephants having a meal of grass; all in their respective, huge natural enclosures. We also saw pea-hens (The peacocks were missing) and owls. We sorely missed seeing the tigers (both yellow and white), the fox and the wolf. They were probably having a siesta somewhere in their huge enclosures or peevishly denying us a sighting for having confined them to their enclosures; instead of letting them roam free in the wild.

Neelgai and deer co-existing peacefully!

                Most of the animals have been adopted by wild-life lovers who provide for their upkeep. Their names are mentioned on the name-plates outside the respective enclosures.

The picturesque and inviting Katraj lake

                The picturesque Katraj lake can be seen from within the zoo. It is strictly out-of-bounds and has been suitably barricaded. The dazzling lake is vast and ringed by hills and enveloped by greenery. Just gazing at it is soothing and enchanting.

                  As we left this dense forest and retraced our steps outside, we were welcomed by urban chaos in the form of a traffic jam right outside the zoo, on the main road; hawkers and food-stall owners vying loudly for our attention.

                  We were tired and hungry and opted for pav-bhaji for myself and misal-pav for my hubby, followed by ice-cream for myself and tea for my hubby. Then we braced ourselves for the long bus ride home. After changing two buses, we reached home, sweet home. But the visions of the scenic, peaceful zoo where there was perfect harmony between the wild creatures and nature, refused to fade.

                 Yes, this place is definitely worth a visit, especially for photography-enthusiasts. The visiting hours are between 9.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. During vacation time, the visiting hours are extended by an hour till 7 p.m.

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Explanatory notes:

Neelgai – A bluish tinted wild cow.

Pav-bhaji – A popular snack comprising of buttered small bread loaves (Buns) and spicy, mixed-vegetable gravy.

Misal-pav – A popular Maharashtrian snack comprising of bread loaves (Buns) and spicy gravy made of lentils.

The copyright of this article and photographs is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.