(MOREPIC1) Face2News/Chandigarh
In view of the ever increasing curiosity among the people in general and student community in particular to know more the varied wildlife of Punjab, the visitor count at the Chhatbir Zoo has witnessed an upswing during the past one year. From January to December 2025 more than 5 lakh people visited the Chhatbir Zoo with the number of students of Government schools of the State pegged at the maximum i.e. more than 62000.
The Forests and Wildlife Preservation Department has made herculean efforts in this regard guided by the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and under the leadership of Minister incharge Lal Chand Kataruchak. This has led to the renewed interest among the people to visit Chhatbir Zoo also known as Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park.
The number of private primary school students visiting the zoo stands in excess of 18000 while the private high school students number more than 16000.
The huge footfall exhibits demonstrates that the younger generation of Punjab is very keen to learn more about the varied Wildlife species of the State besides developing empathy for them as the diversified wildlife is also an important part of the nature.
It is noteworthy to mention that various kinds of activities are undertaken in the zoo which came into existence in 1977. The activities include blood donation camps, Run for Wild, and zoo education program. The aim is sensitize youth about different flora and fauna of Punjab.
The biggest and the longest walk in aviary of the country has become the centre of attraction at the zoo besides an ultra modern dinosaur park which has been set up. In the Wildlife safari area of around 1200 metres, the boundary wall has been strengthened apart from installation of a solar plant having 260 KV capacity.
A critical care unit stands constructed at the lion safari for the carnivorous animals besides an open air zoo Education plaza for the assistance of the visitors especially the school children.
