Tata Steel Zoological Park celebrated its 25th foundation day amidst enthusiasm. It was on January 16, 1990 that the foundation stone for the Tata Steel Zoological Park was laid. As part of Tata Zoo’s outreach activities and in order to meet the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity Conservation 2011- 2020, around 50 children from the Sabar tribe residing in Patamda Block were invited to spend a day in the zoo. They were oriented on the need for protection and conservation of plants and wild animals by the zoo curator.
On the occasion, a new visitor’s shelter named ‘Gajah Chhaya’, near the Hippopotamus enclosure, was jointly inaugurated by Ritu Raj Sinha, chief — corporate services, Tata Steel and member — Tata Steel Zoological Society and Surya Prakash Mishra — head, (corporate affair), Shah Sponge & Power ltd.
Others present on the occasion were Alpana Bhattacharya — secretary, Anwesha, Bipul Chakrabarty – director, M Palit — deputy director cum Veterinary officer, Sanjay Kumar Mahato — curator and all staff of Tata Steel Zoological Park. The programme was coordinated by Seema Rani — biologist cum education officer, Tata Steel Zoological Park.
In his address, Sinha congratulated the zoo team in maintaining the zoo on professional manner including care of the animals. He wished that with help of Tata Steel, the zoo will improve further and be a major attraction for citizens of Jamshedpur.
The zoo currently houses 360 animals of varied birds, mammals and reptiles. Out of these varied collection of animals, 21 birds, 5 reptiles and 63 mammals are of endangered category. The zoo has been divided into management beats and sections like small mammals, world of parrot, pheasants, herbivores, large cats for better appreciation and understanding of animal world by visitors.
The zoo campus is having 95 species of trees. The flora also includes Pteridophytes, Bryophytes, and Orchid. Out of 95 species of trees enumerated, 70 are endemic to this region and species Ficus krishnae (Makhan Katora) is only found in zoo campus.