Chandigarh is a place in the country that has a number of beautiful gardens, bird parks and bird sanctuaries, Chattbir Zoo is one of those tourist spots. Chattbir zoo in Chandigarh also known by the name Mahendra Choudhary Zoological Park is a zoo in Zirakpur, Chandigarh, Punjab. This zoo is geographically located in Northern India. This zoo is a habitat for a vast variety of birds, reptiles and mammals. The zoo has an area of approximately 200 acres.
Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh
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This zoo is organically designed in a natural forest, Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh attracts massive footfall. This zoo in Chandigarh is now attracting a massive footfall of 8.85 lakh per annum. This major upsurge in the tourist flow is because of a number of factors like a well-managed wildlife safari combining deer and lion safaris and the longest walk-in aviary together with a green and clean campus that is located in between a natural forest and improvements in public facilities, animal display, visitors’ management and security.
Chattbir Zoo in Chandigarh showcases about 3 dozen species of indigenous and exotic birds in 5 various thematic zones Terrestrial Rock and Duck, Japanese Trail, Woodland and Rainforest. Additionally, 400 birds are in this Aviary, this zoo is home to about 103 species and 1241 animals.
Chattbir Zoo is located on the banks of the Ghaggar River and around 20 km away from Chandigarh on the Patiala- Chandigarh road in Punjab. This zoo was conceived in the early 1970s and was built and inaugurated on 13th April 1977 by the then Governor of Punjab, Mahendra Chaudhary thus, formally named Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park. After a humble beginning around 4 decades ago, this zoo that grown to be one of the largest zoos in the country. Chattbir Zoo owes its uniqueness to the 200-hectare natural forest site that is lying on the northern bank of Ghaggar River.
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This undulating forest land is protected against flooding by an embankment on 3 sides and a flood drain on the 4th one. The existing low-lying ditch on the northwest side of the zoo has been converted into a shallow lake that covers about 8 hectares which attracts birds in the winter season.
A unique Lion Safari spread more than 8 hectares allows free movement of lions and visitors are taken around in caged vehicles. A physically separated Deer Safari covers an area of 12 hectares and houses a large population of deer. Chattbir Zoo was designed by architects Jeet Malhotra and DK Bahl of the Department of Architecture, Punjab.
The other members of the technical committee who guided these architects were NS Lamba, the then Chief Town Planned of Punjab, ND Bachketi, Administrator Lukhnow and Kanpur Zoos and Pushap Kumar, Director, Nehru zoological Garden, Hyderabad. With technical assistance from these experts, architects Jeet Malhotra and DK Bahl finalized the plan and design of Chattbir Zoo on 29th September 1975. Chattbir Zoo is planned and designed in an organized way and in sync with the informal character of the spectacular surrounding of the natural forest site. The architects evolved the layout plan of the zoo with free-flowing passageways and animal enclosures in sweeping forms to be in harmony with the immediate environs.
Sincere efforts have been made to shape and placed in such a way that a minimum number of trees are required to be uprooted and replanted. To harmonize the structures with the natural landscape, all buildings such as the aquarium, serpent caves, museum and crocodile farm, etc., have been kept single-storied.
Meandering paths gradually open up the different vistas, at the same time offering a sense of direction to the visitors. The animal enclosure is designed to suit particular likings and requirements of various species. Their design also enables the animals as well as human beings to see each other without obstructing their vision.
The enclosures are dispersed to establish a variety of spaces and are grouped to facilitate feeling and other managerial needs. The construction of animal enclosures of the zoo has been made largely in brick masonry with a rough cast-thrown concrete finish on the exteriors. Random rubble stone masonry has also been used in some places to impart a pleasant relief. Other than the animal enclosures, the zoo also has a veterinary hospital administrative office, interpretation center, rain shelters, residential quarters for staff members, snack bars and other public facilities.
The environment of Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh
Chattbir Zoo is surrounded by a forest-like environment that gives the residing animals and birds a feel of their habitat, the zoo is spread over a vast area. One of the most amazing things about this zoo is contemplating how a piece of mere scrubland is transformed into a beautiful home for a number of species.
The animals and birds in Chattbir Zoo are kept in an open enclosure so that they do not get claustrophobic for their purposes. Leaving aside these features, Chatbbir Zoo is a perfect place for a family day out since it offers a perfect picnic spot and gives you the aura of an ideal family get-together.
Animal Species in Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh
Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Indian gazelle, Swamp deer, Asiatic lion, Indian Leopard, Himalayan black bear, Zebra, Blue bull, Gaur, Striped hyena, Porcupine, Mugger Crocodile, African Buffalo, White Tiger, Hippopotamus, Sambar deer, Emu, Baboon, Jaguar, Sloth Bear, Chimpanze, Blackbuck, Bengal Foz, Indian Boar, Gharial and Indian pyhton.
Aviaries in Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh
With only animals and deer famous in the Animal Adoption Scheme of the Chattbir Zoo, all 100 birds and deer have been adopted by a scheme that was launched in 2010. Deer have been adopted by Chattbir Zoo for superstitious reasons, considering the fact that they are famous to ward off the ill- effects of certain planets. The adoption of the birds does not cost much hence they were done the same along with the deer.
Lion Safari in Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh
Visitors are taken for a tour to a lion safari in Chattbir Zoo as they are allowed to feast their eyes on these majestic creatures kept in a habitat that allows both closure and offers conducive habitat for their growth. Zoos have always had a way of reminding us of all the brilliant and abundant wildlife that is present in a corny like ours.
The zoo is one of those that adds proof of that belief, a living epitome of heritage we all should be proud of. With exceptional customer treatment, enough scenic beauty that makes you want to stand and stare and homely feel that is adequate to make you visit Chattbir Zoo, again and again, the zoo is a definite go-to place if you are a lover of animals and wish to get lost in the beauty of nature.
Other than spectating the enchanting big cat in their true lifestyle, you can also get a chance to witness different species of the animal kingdom such as leopards, cranes, holden pheasants, barking deer, white Indian peafowl and jackals. You can also see the colorful and vibrant peacocks dancing around the zoological garden.
Stroll around Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh
If you are one of those who wish to get closer to the enigmatic marvels of the beauty of mother nature then strolling around the well-protected walkway tends to make you feel rejuvenated and refreshed.
The walk-in aviary of Chattbir Zoo welcomes you without paying any charge of any sort. The stroll around Chattbir Zoo aviary takes around 20 to 30 minutes and showcases the best of the vibrant, colorful and exotic birds that are residing in their habitat. This allows guardians or parents to help the little kids learn about the aquatic birds, ecosystem and various terrestrial, etc.
Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh Timings
The zoo opens at 9 in the morning and the closing time of the zoo is at 5 in the evening.
Day Timing
- Monday Closed or holiday
- Tuesday 9 am to 5 pm
- Wednesday 9 am to 5 pm
- Thursday 9 am to 5 pm
- Friday 9 am to 5 pm
- Saturday 9 am to 5 pm
- Sunday 9 am to 5 pm
Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh Entry Fee
- There is no entry fee for children below 3 years, differently able people or media personnel.
- The entry fee for children from 3 to 12 years (height under 3 feet) is Rs 25 per person.
- The entry fee for above 12 years (height 3 feet and above) or adults is Rs 60 per person.
Tariff for visitors on educational tours from school to Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh
If schools are planning to take the students on an education trip then they have to pay Rs 30 per student for the High School batch and Rs 25 per student for Primary School Students batch.
Camera fee in Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh
If you are wishing to try your hand at still photography will be charged 150 per day and for videography Rs 240 per day. If the Chattbir Zoo in Chandigarh needs to be a part of commercial shooting then it will cost around Rs 40,000 per day.
Other facilities in Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh
- The battery-operated ferry vehicle is charged Rs 50 per head for adults and Rs 25 per is for children from 3 to 12 years.
- The lion safari bus ticket is for Rs 50 per head.
- The is no charge for wheelchairs for differently able.
Best time to visit Chattbir Zoo Chandigarh
Chattbir Zoo in Chandigarh happened to be a place that is extremely close to the hearts of the locals residing in the city because this zoo is home to the Royal King of Jungle. The best time to visit Chattbir Zoo is anytime in the winter season. The months from October to March are the best months to visit Chattbir Zoo.
During these months, the average temperature in day time usually ranges from 20 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius and at the night the temperature starts falling and can get as minimum as 2 degrees Celsius to 1 degree Celsius.
You can also travel to Chandigarh in the months of August and September a the monsoon showers bring down the temperature that makes the weather bearable to stroll around the zoo. But I advised you to avoid traveling to Chandigarh in the summer season if you can not bear the scorching heat of the city. The temperature in the summer months of May and June can get as maximum as 40 degrees Celsius.
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