Nainital Zoo
Nainital Zoo is one of the best attractions in Nainital for wildlife lovers. It is Officially named as Bharat Ratna Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo Nainital. This well maintained zoo is the only zoo in the entire state of Uttarakhand. The zoo was established in 1984, though it was opened to visitors on 1 June 1995.
Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo Nainital was established and opened with the intention of protecting and conserving the biodiversity and wildlife in the hilly regions of Nainital and Uttarakhand.
Geography
The zoo is situated between the Shivalik and Central Himalayan mountain ranges at an altitude of 2,100 to 2,150 meters (6,890 to 7,050 ft) above sea level. This zoo is a favourable place for many animals and birds. Locally this zoo is called ‘Sher ka Danda’ as is located at hill slope in Nainital.
This zoo is spread over an area of 4.6 hectares. It has a forest cover of evergreen oak, cupressus, and two other species of oak.
History of Nainital Zoo
The zoo was established in 1984, though it was opened to visitors on 1 June 1995. The park is currently managed by The Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo Management Society Nainital. Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo used to be the home Siberian tiger from 2001 until its death in November 2011.
Create awareness among people about the rich Himalayan flora and fauna
Objectives and Goals of the Zoo
- To facilitate research and coordinated breeding of rare and widespread Himalayan fauna.
- Educating and expanding knowledge in captive animal management.
- Conservation of Himalayan animals and birds which are rare and widespread.
- Treatment and prevention of minor and major diseases in animals.
- Rehabilitation and rescue of rare and injured species.
- Create awareness among people about the rich Himalayan flora and fauna.
Timings of Zoo
Zoo timings are –
Opening Time – From 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM every day except Monday.
Closing Time – The zoo remains closed on Mondays and on public occasions like Republic Day, Holi, Independence Day and Diwali.
Ticket Price of Zoo
The entry fees for Zoo are different for adults and children.
| Category | Entry fees |
| Adults (above 12 years) | Rs. 100/- |
| Children (5 to 12 years) | Rs. 50/- |
| Adult Foreigners (above 12 years) | Rs. 200/- |
| Foreigner Children (5 to 12 years) | Rs. 100/- |
| Entry for senior citizens and disabled people | Free |
| Fees for students on World Environment Day, Zoo Foundation Day, Ozone Day, and Wildlife Week | Free |
Camera Fees –
| Type of Camera | Fees for Camera |
| Ordinary / General Camera | Rs. 25/- |
| Video (Professional) Camera | Rs.200/- |
Best time to visit Nainital Zoo
The best time to visit Nainital zoo is in Summers.
Summers – In Summers months, the weather remains soothing and pleasant or calm for the sightseeing tour. This is a perfect time to see the wildlife species in their natural habitat when they are comfortable with the climatic conditions. The region enjoys cool weather from March to June, which is favorable to wildlife spotting.
Winters – Winter months remain quite cool and pleasant, which is also favorable for wildlife exploration and other Nainital sightseeing activities. Months from September to December are also an ideal time to spot numerous animals and birds.
Things to Keep in Mind during visit Nainital Zoo
Nainital Zoo is spread in a span of 11 acres.
- Kids and senior citizens can get tired due to a lot of walking. Hence, it is advised to walk slowly and take rest in between the exploration tour.
- Must wear comfortable pair of shoes, considering the huge area of the zoo.
- Must be observant at all times and must not feed any eatables to the animals or birds.
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You must carry a water bottle or eatables along with them as the Nainital Zoo tour can be tiring and enjoyable at the same time.
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Be careful during the zoo visit and maintain the decorum of the surroundings.
Special Attractions of Nainital Zoo
Special Attractions of the Zoo have to be Bengal Tigers which is the largest army in the Nainital Zoo. Nainital Zoo is also home to some of the vast species of exotic and high-altitude birds.
Nainital Zoo is kept completely polythene free. The zoo has also developed itself in the field of scientific research and education, a step towards wildlife rehabilitation, species conservation and revival of endangered flora and fauna.
Some of the other sections which add to the beauty of Nainital Zoo are Butterfly Park, Cactus Dome, Herbarium, Insect Museum, Orchidarium and various cafes.
| Bengal Tiger | Barking Deer | Butterfly bark | Kalij Pheasant | Golden Pheasant |
| Himalayan Black Bear | Himalayan Palm Civet | Lady Amherst pheasant | Rose Ringed Parakeet | Red Jungle Fowl |
| Red Panda | Sun Conure | Snow Leopard | White Peafowl |
How To Reach Nainital Zoo
By Air:- Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport to the Zoo. It is about 74 km from Zoo. This place is well connected by road. You can hire a private or shared taxi from the airport which will take around 2 to 3 hours to reach the Zoo.
By Train:- Kathgodam Railway station is the nearest railway station which is 44km away from Nainital Zoo. There is an abundance of bus and taxi service from the railway station to the Zoo.
By Road:- Several private and government buses are available from ISBT Dehradun and ISBT Anand Vihar Delhi to Nainital, Haldwani and Kathgodam. Both AC and Non AC buses are available from Delhi to Nainital.
Near By Attractions
- Mall Road, Nainital which offers a splendid view of the Naini lake is Around 10 km away.
- Pangot and Kilbury bird Sanctuary – 20 km from Khurpa taal
- Naina Devi Temple – The temple is one of the 51 shaktipeeths in the country and holds a great mythological significance. The temple welcomes thousands of devotees every year and a special festival is organized during Nanda Ashtami which falls in the month of August-September.
- Eco Cave Gardens – The caves are formed in the shape of animals depicting the natural habitat of the wildlife in the Kumaon region
- Tiffin Top
- Snow View Point
- Bhim Taal
- Aerial Ropeway which takes you from Mall Road to the Snow View Point. The 3-minute ride gives you a birds-eye view of the Nainital city and the Naini lake.
NOTE:- In this article, we cover all the important details regarding Nainital Zoo like the best time to visit and Activities you can do in Zoo, Still If you have any other queries you can visit the gov official website of Uttarakhand Tourism. And If you want to know the best places to visit in Uttarakhand then visit our website uttarakhandeyes.com.
