Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
Formation of Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden started started in the year 1957. The 64th session of Indian National Congress was held in Guwahati, in the year 1957. The Organising committee of INC organised an exhibit with included few animals and birds, of which a female leopard cub named Spotty was the favourite. After the meeting came to an end, it was felt to necessity of a zoo to house these animals.
These animals were shifted to Japorigog in the Hengrabari Reserve forest, with an area of 130 Hectare, suitable to create facilities and house these animals, thus, The Assam State Zoo was established in the year 1957 and was open to public viewing in the year 1958.
The total number of animals and birds, at the time of its inception was 42 (22 species) and 236 (31 species) respectively.
Over the years, the zoo grew and expanded to accommodate eye-catching exotic ones like chimpanzees, white rhinos & black rhinos, zebras, ostriches and giraffes from Africa; puma, jaguar and llama from South America and kangaroos from Australia. To get these exotic animals the zoo used to send indigenous animals like one horned Indian rhinoceros and others, to many countries. Through later the importance was shifted to indigenous species and several captive breeding programs also started which were successful. In the year 1959 a forest division was created as Assam State Zoo Division and the zoo was put under this division.
The Assam State Zoo also added a museum and in the year 1982 a botanical garden and so Assam State Zoo became The Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden.
In 2002 another 45 hectare area of the Hengrabari Reserve Forests were added to the zoo and thus, the total area of the zoo became 175 hectare and in August, 2005 the Animal Adoption Scheme launched.
Introduction
Established in 1957.
The largest zoo in North-eastern India.
Nodal centre of ex-situ conservation and a host of awareness and outreach activities.
"Green lung" for the ever-growing city of Guwahati.
Location, Area & Topography of Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
Located in the heart of Guwahati city, capital of the state of Assam, N.E. India.
Laid out among the gently undulating Hengerabari hillocks(60-200 MSL).
Occupies an area of 1.75 sq.km of which c.110 h.a is natural forest.
Natural vista with landscaped gardens, large enclosures and perennial water bodies.
The Highlights of Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
- Animal Exhibits
- Museum
- Reptile House
- Botanical Garden
- Herbarium Collection
- Natural Forest
- About 600 animals, birds and reptiles
- Around 84 species
- Many rare and endangered species
- Several indigenous species endemic to North-East India
Hoolock Gibbon, One-horned Rhinoceros, Golden Langur, Stump-tailed Macaque, Pig-tailed Macaque, Slow Loris, Sangai, Clouded Leopard, Golden Cat, Binturong, Mithun Serow, Brush-tailed Porcupine, Crestless Porcupine
Exotic Species of Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Lion (Hybrid), African White Rhino
Bird Exhibits of Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
Cassowary, Silver Pheasant, Parakeets, Cinereous Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Hill Myna, Adjutant Stork, Painted Stork, Purple Moorhen, Bar-headed Geese, White Ibis, Painted Stork, Sarus Crane, Macaw, Rosy Pelican
Reptile Exhibits of Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
Monocellate Cobra, Rat Snake, Copper-headed Trinket, Common Sand Boa, Red Sand Boa, Python, Common Monitor, Tokay Gecko
The Museums of Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
- Rare collection of stuffed specimens of N.E. endemics.
- Comprehensive agglomeration of minor forest produce.
- Bamboo and cane artifacts and handicrafts.
- Fossilised wood specimen.
- One of the largest mounted specimen of Gharial.
- Exquisite hand paintings of birds on Ficus leaves.
- An invaluable repository of taxonomic information.
- 2000 immaculately mounted and carefully preserved sheets.
- Covers 550 species belonging to 106 families, mostly indigenous.
- Open to serious students and interested amateurs for study.
- The Botanist, ASZBG provides guidance and technical information to interested visitors.
- Flora : 345 species of plants
- Mammals : 17 species (inclusive of free-ranging species)
- Birds : 154 species
- Herpetofauna : 30 species
- Butterfiles : 105 species
- Other insects : > 100 species
- One of the finest botanical gardens in N.E India.
- 345 number of indigenous species.
- 280 species of exotic plants.
- Name plates for all striking species.
- Several rare and endangered plants like pitcher plant, doum palm, ladie’s slipper orchid etc.
- Native species : 345
- Exotic species : 280
- Orchid species : 40
- Bamboo species : 10
- Palm species : 12
- Animal adoption
- Animal tales
- Energy high
- Jogger’s trail
- Jumbo Ride
- Towering Heights
On an average, 55 lakhs people visit the zoo annually.
The revenue earned is about Rupees 5 lakhs.