Maharajbagh zoo is the central zoo of
Nagpur,
India. The zoo is located in the heart of the city and has been built on the garden of the Bhonsle and Maratha rulers of the city. The zoo comes under the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) of India and is maintained by the Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth(PKV) of Nagpur. The zoo had come under scrutiny in 2006 for possible closure due to issues concerning animal healthcare but was cleared of all objections raised by CZA in 2007. The Government of
Maharashtra has approved a new safari park of international standards next to
Gorewada Lake in the city. Animals from Maharajbagh zoo would be moved to this new animal park but the older zoo will remain open for new animals.
Zoo
The zoo is home to leopards, lion, tiger, peacock and other animals. Of the famous attractions in the zoo - a pair of leopards – Julie and Gopal died of old age in 2006. The pair’s little cub is still in the zoo.
Project Gorewada
In 2001 the Government of Maharashtra had planned a zoo complying with international standards and two locations,
Goregaon in
Mumbai and Gorewada in Nagpur, were shortlisted. But due to space limitations in Mumbai, the Gorewada site was selected. In 2006, the State government approved the new 1,700 acres (6.9 km2) safari park on Forest department land near Gorewada lake. Project Gorewada will be based on the example of
Singapore's animal parks and will cost around INR 500 crore. The project is expected to attract 25 to 30 lakh tourists each year and will boost
Vidarbha's economy.
The project will a zoological park satisfying international standards, a botanical garden, a breeding centre, a safari park, night safari, wetlands, an interpretation centre and eco-tourism, a rare combination in India. The State government is in the process of creating the Gondwana Foundation entrusted with some autonomy to finance and build the project. Initially, the Singapore-based Bernard Harrison and Friends were selected for preparing the master plan of the project and now the state government will invite new tenders on a Build Operate Transfer basis for this project.
