Nandankanan Zoological Park was established in 1960. The Park is located over a large area that includes Kanjia Lake and many other private lands. It is just 20 kms from Bhubaneswar and is well connected via rail and road. The Nandankanan Zoo is home to a large number of known and endangered species. A large number of birds, elephants, snakes and crocodiles draw the attraction of thousands of tourists every day. The State Botanical Garden is located just right to the entrance of Nandankana Zoo.
It is a great place for plant lovers. You will find Mughal garden, Holiday cottage, Children’s Park, Glass House and Japanese garden inside the Botanical Garden. It is also a perfect place for love birds who throng to the place in large numbers.
The Garden of Gods
A short distance from the capital city, Bhubaneswar, the Nandankanan Zoo lies in the splendid environs of the Chandaka forest, along with the rippling waters of the Kanjia Lake. It also contains a Botanical Garden and part of it has been declared a sanctuary.
Famed for its white tiger population, Nandankanan, or the ‘Garden of Gods’, has become a hot family favorite, with visitors getting an excellent opportunity to enjoy seeing these regal animals in their natural glory – in an environment conducive to their growth. Over 67 kinds of mammals, 18 varieties of reptiles and 81 species of birds co-exist in the deeply forested boundaries.
The zoo enjoys an excellent reputation internationally, for successfully breeding black panthers, gharial crocodiles and white tigers in captivity.
Gharial Breeding
For the first time ever, a captive breeding centre was created for gharial crocodiles. This important task was also facilitated by the gift of an adult male from the Frankfurt Zoo.
Following a multi month of pilot study with arrival of 7 transmitter labeled sub-grown-up gharials since twentieth July 2019, six number of transmitters labeled gharials of one or the other sex (3M:3F), estimating 2.3m-3.3m from Nandankanan Biological Park as before are being delivered today, the fifth January 2021. The modified procedure for recuperation of Gharials in Satkoshia-Gorge in its southern-most home is more preservation arranged. This remembers the inclusion of five timberland divisions for one or the other side of the stream Mahanadi, execution of unbending insurance measures, presentation of ‘No Fishing Zone’ in 10 Kms of Satkoshia Gorge where present populace of gharial is existing, spreading of mindfulness among neighborhood individuals, arrangement of pay for the harmed fishing net and award of Rs.1000/ – for live Gharial caught.It is trusted that Gharials will be saved in the mythical Satkoshia Gorge with future deliveries as customized in the continuous goal-oriented plan the “Species recuperation of gharial Gavialis ganteticus, Gmelin in the waterway Mahanadi”.
White Tiger Breeding
One of the rarest creatures in the world, the regal white tiger, received a new lease of life with the important research and concerted efforts initiated to try and breed them in the natural environs of Nandankanan.
In 1980, on a day full of excitement and jubilation, the first litter of white tigers were born to Deepak and Ganga, two normal, tawny tigers. Subsequent litters of white tigers have been distributed to Zoos both at home and abroad. Currently, Nandankanan is home to over 34 white tigers.
Endangered species such as the Asiatic Lion, three Indian crocodilians, sangai lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, India pangolin, mouse deer and countless birds, reptiles and fish have been breeding successfully at Nandankanan.
Some of the other attractions of Nandankanan are the 34 aquaria, which are home to a large variety of fresh water fishes. The Reptile Park’s cave like entrance is guarded by a life-size tyrannosaurus. Inside, numerous species of crocodiles, lizards, turtles and snakes share the park with natural ease.
The ropeway connecting the Zoo with Botanical Garden over the lake, the boating facilities and the toy-train for children have added new feathers. The facilities at Nandakanan include day accommodations, elephant rides and boating.
Safaris.
The White Tiger Safari, established in 1991, offers visitors the heady excitement of viewing the rare white tigers from specially designed protected buses.The lion safari offers an adventurous zing to the trip to Nandankanan.
Picnics and the Lakes
Nandankanan’s beautifully versatile environs offer the tourists a great opportunity to be adventurous or laid back. If one doesn’t feel like tearing around sighting animals and watching the birds, then settle down to a leisurely picnic and mid-afternoon nap under the trees. Visitors feeling little more energetic can meander along one of their nature trails.
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