Zoo In India

Kankaria Zoo, Gujarat

Counted among the best zoos in India, Kamla Nehru Zoological Park in the Kankaria Lake complex attracts lakhs of visitors every year.  Reuben David, the founder of the Ahmedabad Zoo, as Kamla Nehru Zoological Park is also called, was awarded Padma Shri in 1974 for his efforts in creating this well organized place for wild animals.

Spread over an area of 117 acres, the sprawling zoo is visited by more than 20 lakhs visitors every year. Apart from the usual zoo animals, it showcases some rare species of the mammals, birds and reptiles. The efforts of dedicated staff and the right direction given by the officer in-charge along with the help from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation makes the zoo the best in the country.

The Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden was founded with an aim to provide recreation but this aim has now extended to protection of endangered species, creating awareness among the visitors about the dependence of man on his environment and breeding of wild animals and birds in captivity.

History

The zoo on the lakefront of Kankaria Lake in Ahmedabad is called Kamla Nehru Zoological Park. It was established by Rueben David in 1951. The wonderful zoological park is located over 113 acres of land and was rated the best zoo in 1974 for the entire Asia region. There are other attractions such as a Balvatika, an Amusement Park, Toy Trains for kids, a Kid’s City, a Stone Mural Park etc. as part of the water front of Lake Kankaria.

Lake Kankaria is also a historical lake built by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Aibak in 1451 and was used by the royalty for bathing and relaxing. It is a beautiful polygonal shaped lake with 34 sides and circumference of about 5 kms. It is a reservoir which is elaborate in design with carved circular inlets for water. In the center of the lake there is a small artificial island called Naginwadi.

Timings and Tariff

Visiting Hours: March to October:  9:00am to 6:15 pm
November to February:  9:00am to 5:30 pm
Mondays closed.

For further details: +91 79 2546341

Entry Fee:

Free entry for children up to 3 year
Children Rs. 10, Adults Rs. 20.

On every Thursday free entry to Educational Tour Free
Students in groups Rs. 5 per head

Simple Camera Rs.5
Movie Camera 8 mm Rs. 25
Movie Camera 16 mm Rs. 50
Movie Camera Shooting Rs.100
Industrial Film Producers /Television Serial Producers - (Per Day) Rs. 10000

Visitor Information

Kankaria Lake is one of the most favoured places in Ahmedabad for visitors to experience and enjoy the progress of Gujarat State in natural surroundings unhindered by traffic. Here there are many options for enjoyment such as the water and light show, the natural history museum, toy trains and also an open air theatre.

Kankaria Carnival week is a festival held in the last week of December. Many cultural, art, and social activities are organized during the festival.

Other Attractions Include

Balvatika, a children’s park, an amusement park with joy rides, Kid’s city, a miniature city for children, two toy trains, Balloon Safari, a  tethered balloon ride, a Stone Mural Park and many more interesting things are other attractions here.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Kankaria Lake in Ahmedabad is in winter from October to March when the climate is pleasant.

Map

Location:  Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden,
Kankaria, Ahmedabad – 380 008
Phone: +91 -79-25463115/32984115,
Fax : +91 -79-25463818/25350926
E-mail : [email protected]

How to Reach

Ahmedabad is well connected with all major cities and towns by road, air and rail. There is also an International Airport in Ahmedabad.

Wildlife

The main zoo has 450 mammals, 2000 birds and 140 reptiles and amphibians housed in enclosures that resemble their natural habitat. There are wild animals such as tigers, lions, pythons, snakes, elephants, rhesus monkeys, spotted deer, white black-buck, elephants, emus, and birds such as the jungle babbler, bush-quail and common palm civet. There is also an anaconda which is a star attraction.

The Zoo has successfully bred rare species such as pythons, crocodiles, bear-cats and wild asses in captivity.

Map