Nestled in the lush greenery of Rangapahar in the Chümoukedima district of Nagaland and covering around 176 hectares, the Nagaland Zoological Park that was officially opened to the public in August 2008 stands as a testament to the region’s commitment to wildlife conservation and biodiversity with an exquisite collection of fauna.
The park itself is not just a place to observe wildlife but a centre for nature education and conservation efforts, serving as an educational hub, attracting thousands of students from different schools and colleges.
Talking to Nagaland Post, range forest officer Watisungla Amer disclosed that currently there were around 369 species of birds and animals in the park. This year alone, he said it has rescued around 15 animals.
She revealed that 20-25 different species of animals were rescued every year, but most did not survive due to injuries and being too young. She stated that presently there were 13 animal keepers, 15 permanent staff (field staff), and 10 administrative staff. She lamented that not all rescued animals survived.
When there was not enough space in the zoo, she said they were release into the park, mostly birds.
“It’s difficult to keep all the rescued animals in cages because it creates stress for them,” she stated. Initially, they were kept in cages and, after being checked by the veterinary doctor and deemed healthy, they were released into the park, she explained.
The zoo also observes Monday as a fasting day for the carnivorous animals and does not feed them on that particular day. Holidays and Saturdays witness huge number of visitors, but Sundays remain the most crowded day of the week. The highest recorded number of visitors in a day was more than 5,000.
Asked about construction of new enclosures, Amer said the last construction of an enclosure was done in 2020 for gharial, which was brought from Lucknow Zoo in exchange for other animals. Due to the pandemic, the next enclosure was made only in 2023-2024 for monkeys.
She stated that the department lacked the authority to independently procure animals, as all zoos operated under the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) and adhered to their respective master plans. However, she conveyed the department’s intent to increase the zoo’s animal collection soon.
Additionally, she mentioned that the department had submitted proposals for more development projects but expressed regret that these could only proceed following the CZAI’s approval after a comprehensive review. She also mentioned that annual reports were submitted to the CZAI, which then guided the execution of projects.
Referring to the facilities available for visitors, she mentioned that the zoo had its own first aid station ready for any emergencies. The zoo also offered resting sheds for visitors, complete with toilets, in the premises. Additionally, she pointed out that there was one e-rickshaw and eight bicycles available for visitors to tour the zoo. Previously, there were e-carts, which had however all broken down.
Owing to the high cost of repairs and the non-availability of technicians in Nagaland, the department has replaced them with an e-rickshaw. She said the department was also looking to acquire more e-rickshaws in the future, which were eco-friendly as well. She further mentioned that there was a 50% concession for students, provided the school t an application addressed to the director.
She acknowledged that due to limited staff, the zoo authorities occasionally faced difficulties in managing huge number of visitors. Additionally, the range forest officer lamented plastic waste problem as some visitors discarded trash indiscriminately instead of using the designated dustbins. In this matter, she requested all visitors to use the bins properly and help keep the zoo clean.
She also emphasised the development of infrastructure and efforts towards bringing new species from other zoos as well. Asked about visitors’ favourite animals, she said the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Black Monkey Ape were popular attractions.
Talking to this reporter, security in-charge Mughato Awomi mentioned that they oversaw the entire security system. He said the security guards carried out daily patrol of the premises. Additionally, he mentioned that they ensured the security of all vehicles parked outside the zoo.
But, despite providing all the services, he lamented that the guards sometimes faced aggressive behaviours from visitors, even over minor issues.
Some guards also shared their experiences of enduring harsh weather, especially during summers, and expressed hope that the department would build sheds for them too, especially at the main entrance, and provide adequate fans to beat the summer heat.