The oppressive heatwave and the Covid threat subsiding, and mild monsoon showers providing some respite, visitors and nature enthusiasts, both young and old, are flocking the National Zoological Park —popularly called the Delhi Zoo — for an authentic wildlife experience.
In fact, there has been a surge in the average daily footfall, of late, with numbers reaching around 11,000 during the weekends.
Last weekend saw a sudden surge in the number of visitors as the city received its first spell of rain. Sunday registered as many as 13,000 visitors, the highest number of footfalls recorded since Covid crisis. During pre-Covid times, the Zoo was receiving around 25-27 lakh footfalls annually, said Dharamdeo Rai, Director of the Zoo."The pandemic caused the closure of the zoo which was then opened in April last year for a few days. It closed its doors again due to a second-wave outbreak. In March, 2022 it was finally opened again and following the necessary Covid protocols an online-ticket booking system was put in place," he said. Dr Sanjay Shukla, Member Secretary of the Central Zoo Authority, the autonomous body under the Union Environment Ministry which supervises the functioning of the Delhi Zoo, too attributed the increase in footfall to pleasant weather and the zoo rekindling its verdant greenery.
"With the pandemic forcing us to stay indoors, we lost touch with nature. As Covid curbs are easing and weather conditions improving, parents are increasingly bringing their kids to connect with nature and experience wildlife in its pristine form. From schoolchildren to elderly, everyone gets rejuvenated and energized after spending some time exploring nature," pointed out Shukla.
He opined that more people are likely to visit the zoo in near future as animals such as birds and felines tend to roam freely and enjoy rains. "Birds such as peacocks love to come out especially in the monsoons, and it is a treat for the eyes for the visitors," he said. "Covid protocols and guidelines are being adhered to as the daily number of visitors is increasing.
The premises where the public gather to see the animals are fumigated and sanitised on a regular basis, said a senior official. The enclosures where animals stay are also cleaned and sanitised," Shukla informed about the steps taken in view of the Covid scenario.
The Zoo, home to a large number of different species of reptiles, birds, and mammals, has revived its greenery much to the respite of the inmates.
Bar-headed geese and star tortoise recently joined the clan that includes among others a host of endangered species such as white tiger, Asiatic lion, jaguar, hippopotamus, African elephant, brown-antlered deer, reptiles such as marsh crocodile, ghariyal and birds like the Indian hornbill, Egyptian vulture, owl and peacocks. Free-ranging and migratory species include palm civet, porcupine, the cobra, mongoose, painted stork, rosy pelicans, spotted owl, and more.
Overall, the Zoo which is spread over 176-acres of area plays host to around 92 species. Animals such as leopards and tigers who are sensitive to heat, which are often found hiding in caves and ponds, could now be seen roaming freely, much to the delight of the visitors.
Online booking system has also minimised physical contact and avoided overcrowding. People are allowed to enter in slots and Covid protocols are observed, chipped in Rai.