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Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park was created in 1958. The main objective of establishing this park was to study, conserve and preserve the Himalayan fauna. The zoological park is well protected and animals are well cared for and bred by experienced care takers. The animals and other species are kept under natural habitats to better protect and breed the wild animals as well as educate the importance of natural surroundings to visitors and tourists. The zoological park has India's only collection of Siberian tigers and other rare species such as the Red Panda and the Tibetan wolf.The zoo is popular and attracts around 300,000 tourists each year.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is commemorated after Smt. Padmaja Naidu who was the West Bengal Governor from 1956 to 1967 and was the India’s nationalist leader, orator and poet Smt. Sarojini Naidu’s daughter. Sarojini Naidu is also known as the “nightingale of India”.
The zoological park is the hub of Central Zoo Authority of India's Red Panda program. It is also ‘World Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ member.
History
The zoological park was created on 14th August 1958 in Darjeeling authority of the Education department of West Bengal Government. The main motive of establishing this zoo was to preserve and study further Himalayan plant kingdom. It was headed by the Director founder Mr Dilip Kumar Dey. The profile of Mr. Dey suggests that he was working for the Indian Forest Service when he was deputed to the Education Department for establishing a highaltitude zoological park that would specialize in Himalayan plants and animals. At that time, the valuable possessions for the park were arare pair of the Siberian tigers that were gifted to the Indian Government by Soviet Premier Ms. Nikita Khruschev in the year 1960. Since then, even after many years, the park attracts many tourists and conservation specialists. Many famous personalities in the sphere of conservation were attracted to this zoological park. The zoo has animals that are considered endangered like red pandas, mountain goat,snow leopards, Siberian tigers & many varieties of birds that are considered endangered. One of the major concerns that arise in this region is the threat of extinction of these rare species of plants and animals as the temperature rise steadily in the hills.
The park was registered in January 1972 and it was agreed that the maintenance costs of this park would have to be shared by both the governments at the centre & state. Later, during May 1993, Forest department of West Bengal took over the overall authority of the park.
In 1975, the then Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi visited this park and named the park in the memory of Smt. Padmaja Naidu.
Animals
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is situated in Darjeeling and is a famous zoological park. This is a high altitude wildlife park and is located close to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. This Zoological Park houses rare species like the Siberian tiger, deer, Himalayan black bear, Red Panda, snow leopard, panther, llama and many colorful birds.
Location
Address:Jawahar Parbat, Darjeeling
Telephone # (O) : 0354-54250,53709
Telephone # (R) : 0354-52250,9832060746-M
Fax No # : 91-0354-52522
Visit timing
8.30am-4.30pm Fri-Wed, ticket counter closes 4pm