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Places to Visit

Sajjangarh Biological Park (zoological garden) in Udaipur

One of the major attractions in the City of Lakes, Udaipur is the Sajjangarh Biological Park, which is a zoological garden. It is located in the foothills of the Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh Palace) and is about 4 km from the city center and 6 km from the city railway station.

The park was inaugurated on 12 April 2015 by Prakash Javdekar, Minister of Environment and Forests, Gulab Chand Kataria, MLA Phoolchand Meena, MP Arjun Lal Meena and Minister Rajkumar Rinva. Sprawling in an area of 36 hectares, it is a home to a massive variety of wildlife.Sajjangarh Biological Park Udaipur

The main objective of the park is to make people aware of the flora and fauna of the region and otherwise. To create sympathy towards the wild animals, which are ruthlessly killed for benefits and other reasons.

The animals in the park are kept in enclosures and visitors and spot these while on their visit to the park. Further, for taking care of the animals inside the park various measures have been taken and deployed to maintain the health of the fauna present in the Sajjangarh Biological park.Sajjangarh Biological Park Udaipur

There is a Zoo Hospital for taking care of the ill animals. The Biological park at Udaipur prohibits the usage of plastic covers/bags inside the zoo. There is a Nutrition Center at the zoo which serves to the feed requirements of wild animals of the zoo. There is a full-time experienced veterinarian and a trained compounder to take of the animals. Also, CCTV cameras are installed in the zoo for 24 hours surveillance.

Wildlife at the Sajjangarh Biological Park-

  • Himalayan Black Bear
  • Jungle Cat
  • Leopard
  • Tiger
  • Sambar
  • Striped Hyena
  • Lion
  • Indian Porcupine
  • Common Fox
  • Sloth Bear
  • Chital
  • Blackbuck
  • Jackal
  • Chousingha
  • Chinkara
  • White Tiger
  • Gharial
  • Marsh Crocodile
  • Star TortoiseSajjangarh Biological Park UdaipurSajjangarh Biological Park Udaipur

Facilities for the visitors at the Sajjangarh Biological Park-

  • An easy and spacious Vehicle Parking
  • Golf carts (ticketed) are available which tour the major routes of the zoo
  • Drinking water Facility
  • Rest areas at various points
  • Canteen facilities
  • Cycle Facilities also available
  • Children’s Park for recreational activities
  • The zoo also provides toilet facilities
  • Wheel-chairs are available for physically handicapped visitorsSajjangarh Biological Park Udaipur

Timings of the Sajjangarh Biological Park-

Winter Season

21 October to 15 March

Monday, Wednesday to Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm

Tuesday Closed

Summer Season

16 March to 20 October

Monday, Wednesday to Sunday: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Tuesday ClosedSajjangarh Biological Park Udaipur

Entry Fee-   

The Entry in the Biological park Udaipur is ticketed. Below is the ticket information:

Adult:   Rs. 30

Foreign Tourist: Rs. 300

Photography

Camera: Rs. 80

Video Camera: Rs. 200Sajjangarh Biological Park Udaipur

The Biological Park, Udaipur Prohibits the following activities-

  • Feeding by the visitors
  • Vandalism or damages caused by the visitors
  • Teasing the animals is strictly prohibited
  • Smoking or consumption of alcohol
  • Cooked food isn’t allowedSajjangarh Biological Park UdaipurSajjangarh Biological Park Udaipur

Location:

Sajjan Garh, Main Gate, Malla Talai, Eklavya Colony, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Photos By: Siddharth Nagar

 

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Places to Visit

Gulab Bagh and Zoo – An Engrossing Domicile of Relishment

Nestled in the fertile valley of Udaipur, beneath the banks of lush Lake of Pichhola stands the shinning, the enchanting pleasure park baptism as Gulab Bagh. It is spread over 100 acres of land at an elevation of 593 meters and having coordinates 24°34′17″N 73°41′34″E. It brings a sense of history and an aura of class which this masterpiece engulfs within itself. As the name suggests it also brings that fragrance and feathery touch of a rose leaf to those who truly appreciates its beauty. Though portraying the scenic imagination of then ruler Maharana Sajjan Singh Ji, it also preserves a sense of history within its cold frames. Gulab Bagh not only represents the traditions of Udaipur but of whole India, an act which can be justified as it is being the fourth oldest zoos in Indian subcontinent.

gulab-bagh-udaipur

Gulab Bagh In Its Earlier Years :

Gulab Bagh is one of the most famous and the biggest of all gardens of Udaipur. The garden was built by the then Maharaja of Udaipur Maharana Sajjan Singh ji in the year 1878 and hence precisely  known as Sajjan Niwas Garden but due to  the avaiability of numerous varieties of roses, this garden is also known as Gulab Bagh or Rose Garden. The garden consists of a wide variety of flora such as Lotus Pond, and many prominent trees that included many species of mangoes, guava, grapes, lemon, berry, mulbury, rayan, pomegranate, bananas, sapota, tamarind, bullock’s heart , lichi, arjun trees, wood apple, karonda, campher, citron, jamun, pummelo, meetha neem, kargi lime, ficus species, anola, jack fruit, dhanverjia, grandi flora, jasmin, dawood etc. After making the garden prominent amongst the locals, T.H. Story imported variety of flora from various regions of India, their enchanting beauty can be only witnessed here with natural quaintness. Not only this, he also imported from other British colonies, resulting in huge and wide variety of trees and shrubs for the garden. In 1882, a name plate was placed on all the trees which included a Hindi name of the tree, English name of the tree and the botanical name. The boundary of the garden was constructed in the year 1885-86 and the garden was divided into 45 parts according to different flowers, trees, zoo complex and so on.

 

gulab-baghPhoto Courtesy : IndiaTourismPortal.com

Gulab Bagh also encompasses a museum, originally known as Victoria Hall Museum, laid by Maharana Sajjan Singh on 2nd November 1890. The inauguration was done by Lord Lansdown. Mr. Gauri Shankar Ojha was the first curator of this museum in the year 1890. This museum proved to be encampment of flimsy collection which comprised of things and many stone manuscripts dating from 3rd Centaury B.C. to 17thCentaury A.D. A library was constructed in the premises of the garden by Maharana Fateh Singh which is now known as Saraswati Bhawan Library. This public library has large volumes and illustrated manuscripts on history, archaeology, Ideology. The museum, reading room and the library are inside the Victoria Hall. The library is replete with Queen Victoria’s displaced statue.

The enclosure has a two way entrance for its visitors and the main gate was exclusively made in the eye of Maharana, on the top of it is the sign of Raj Gharana and a lion on either side of it depicts the paradigm of Mewar culture. As entered one can have leisure walk in the tree lined landscape to relax amid the greenery. The location of Gulab Bagh Zoo is unique in the sense of its proximity to the main city and other tourist places as well as the natural environment of dense vegetation of the garden. The garden consists of large ponds covered with lilies and several varieties of trees that provide ample shade to the visitors .The well trimmed shrubs in the shape of animals and the cemented portray of animals ads an enhancement to the garden and urges the passer-by to have snap with them. Municipality has introduced various fun rides for the children and even adults. To enjoy the cherishment of this beautiful scenery there is a famous mini train for kids to have a ride all across the garden.

The Zoo :

The garden also comprises of a small yet pleasant zoo, showcasing a number of animals. The zoo initially was used as an entertainment for the royal people as organized fights between wild boars, Lions, and Tigers. After independence many animals were shifted to this zoo. The Gulab Bagh zoo is now threatened by plans of the Forest Department to shift it to the biological park being built in Sajjangarh and to convert the zoo into an aviary. The team of Gulab Bagh zoo manages the zoo with tenacious dedication and provides them a temporary home in Gulab Bagh thus it is well maintained and protected. CCTV cameras are also installed inside the zoo to keep a keen eye on the activities of the animals.  This small zoo has an array of wildlife including tigers, leopards, Chinkara, gazelle, birds, and many others and has welcomed a variety of new animals including a female leopard and various species of birds. Entry fee to visit the zoo is Rs.5 and camera fee is Rs.15. This is an intact place to visit providing knowledge, fun and pleasure.