Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
The Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, established in 1957 and opened to the public in 1958, is the largest institution of its kind in the entire North Eastern region of India. Spanning a huge area of 175 hectares (432.435 acres) within the natural confines of the Hengrabari Reserved Forest, it s erves as a critical center for conservation, particularly for the unique and endangered fauna of the region. The zoo is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 115 species, with a total count of more than 1125 animals, birds, and reptiles from across the globe, though its primary focus is on Himalayan and local Assamese wildlife. It is proudly referred to as the "Green Lung" of the rapidly developing Guwahati City. Major attractions include the majestic One-horned Indian Rhinoceros, a flagship species of Assam, the playful Golden Langur, the rare Clouded Leopard, the endemic Hoolock Gibbon, and various species of deer, tigers, and exotic birds. The inclusion of the Botanical Garden in 1982 expanded its mission to include the preservation and display of indigenous and exotic plant species, providing a lush, green, and serene environment that offers a much-needed escape from urban life. It also actively participates in conservation breeding programs and educational activities to raise public awareness about wildlife protection and environmental stewardship. The Zoo Road area itself is a vibrant locality, making the park easily accessible and a highly popular spot for families, students, and tourists alike. This sprawling natural sanctuary plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of the city. (Word count: ~400 words)
General information
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Ideal Duration:
4 to 6 Hours (Half a day to a full day for a comprehensive visit)Place Type:
Zoological Park, Botanical Garden, Wildlife ConserEntry Fees:
Adult Indian Visitor Fee:The entry fee for an adult Indian visitor is generally kept affordable to promote conservation education and access for the public, typically around Rs.30 per person. This nominal fee contributes directly to the maintenance of the zoo, the feeding of ...Adult Indian Visitor Fee:The entry fee for an adult Indian visitor is generally kept affordable to promote conservation education and access for the public, typically around Rs.30 per person. This nominal fee contributes directly to the maintenance of the zoo, the feeding of the animals, and the funding of various conservation programs. The affordable cost makes it a preferred family outing destination.
Child and Special Category Pricing:The fee for children (usually below 12 years) and students is often lower, around Rs.10 per person, reflecting the zoo's commitment to educating the youth. There may be separate charges for cameras, video cameras, or to ride the internal battery-operated vehicles (golf carts). Discounts or special package rates are often available for large school or college groups conducting educational visits, encouraging academic interaction with the facility.
Foreign Tourist Charges and Other Fees:For foreign nationals, the ticket price is generally higher, aligning with international tourism pricing standards for wildlife parks. Visitors should be prepared for additional charges for services like the golf cart ride (which is highly recommended for covering the massive area) or bicycle rentals. It is always advised to check the latest fee structure at the ticket counter upon arrival, as prices for various amenities and entry may be subject to revision by the Forest Department.
(Word count: ~)Timing:
Regular Timings: Summer Season (April to September)The zoo generally opens from 7:00 AM and closes at 4:30 PM. This earlier opening time is ideal for visitors during the warmer summer months, allowing people to complete their tour before the...
Regular Timings: Summer Season (April to September)The zoo generally opens from 7:00 AM and closes at 4:30 PM. This earlier opening time is ideal for visitors during the warmer summer months, allowing people to complete their tour before the heat of the midday sun becomes too intense. The latest entry is usually about one hour before closing time.
Regular Timings: Winter Season (October to March)In the cooler winter months, the opening time is usually slightly later, from 8:00 AM and closing at 4:00 PM. Regardless of the season, the zoo remains CLOSED to the public every Friday for maintenance, cleaning, and animal welfare activities, so visitors must plan their trip accordingly. Ideal Visit Time (Best Part of the Day)The absolutely best time to visit is immediately after the gates open in the morning (7:00 AM or 8:00 AM). Animals are most active during the cooler parts of the day—feeding, playing, and moving around—which offers the best viewing and photography opportunities. Visiting early also helps to avoid the larger crowds that start accumulating from late morning onwards and allows you to cover the massive ground before the midday heat sets in. The later afternoon, about an hour before closing, is also a quieter and pleasant time for a final stroll through the Botanical Garden.
(Word count: ~)Special Events:
Annual Wildlife Week Celebrations:The zoo organizes extensive programs during Wildlife Week, typically held in October (first week). This event features special guided tours, awareness campaigns, competitions (drawing, essay writing, quiz), and workshops focusing on conserv...Annual Wildlife Week Celebrations:The zoo organizes extensive programs during Wildlife Week, typically held in October (first week). This event features special guided tours, awareness campaigns, competitions (drawing, essay writing, quiz), and workshops focusing on conservation and biodiversity. It is a major special event that draws students and nature enthusiasts, aiming to instill a deep sense of responsibility towards wildlife protection, particularly focusing on the unique fauna of the North East, such as the rhino and the gibbon. The entire facility takes on a festive and educational atmosphere during this period.
Animal Adoption Scheme:The Animal Adoption Scheme, launched in August 2005, is a continuous, popular initiative. While not a traditional "event," it is a significant special program allowing individuals, corporate bodies, and schools to contribute to the feeding and upkeep of an animal for a fixed period. This scheme raises crucial funds for the zoo's conservation efforts and creates a strong public-animal connect, making the act of 'adoption' a celebrated social event and a form of symbolic public participation. Adopters are often felicitated, drawing media attention and public support.
Conservation Breeding Program Milestones:The successful birth of an endangered species, such as a Clouded Leopard cub or a One-horned Indian Rhinoceros calf, is treated as a major special event and milestone. These successful breeding efforts are publicly announced, often with special viewing arrangements or naming ceremonies, showcasing the zoo's contribution to global conservation and generating excitement among the public and the scientific community.
(Word count: ~)Best Photo Spots:
The Rhino Enclosure Viewpoint:The enclosures for the One-horned Indian Rhinoceros are specifically designed to be spacious and naturalistic, featuring mud wallows and grassy patches. The designated viewing points often provide an excellent, unobstructed vantage point. The ...The Rhino Enclosure Viewpoint:The enclosures for the One-horned Indian Rhinoceros are specifically designed to be spacious and naturalistic, featuring mud wallows and grassy patches. The designated viewing points often provide an excellent, unobstructed vantage point. The sight of the massive animal, a symbol of Assam, grazing or bathing makes for a powerful and iconic photo opportunity that is instantly recognizable as a Guwahati Zoo experience. Early mornings are best for crisp light.
Golden Langur and Hoolock Gibbon Habitats:These primates are highly active and visually unique, making them excellent photographic subjects. Their enclosures are rich with foliage and climbing structures, mimicking their natural canopy habitat. Capturing the Golden Langur in a playful pose or the Hoolock Gibbon swinging between branches requires patience but results in stunning, dynamic shots that highlight the zoo’s focus on the region's endemic species. The Botanical Garden provides a beautiful, natural, blurred background.
The Shaded Avenues of the Botanical Garden:The walking paths in the Botanical Garden are lined with huge, mature trees, creating beautiful tunnels of light and shadow. These serene, green spaces are perfect for landscape photography and portraiture, offering a lush, tranquil background. The Orchid House interior is another dedicated spot, where the concentrated color and intricate patterns of the flowers offer macro-photography enthusiasts an unparalleled subject. The variety of bamboo groves and flowering plants provides diverse textural backdrops throughout the year.
(Word count: ~)Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Explore the Biodiversity of the Zoo Section:The primary activity is walking the extensive network of paths to see the over 113 species of animals. Start your journey early in the morning when the animals are most active. Prioritize seeing the endangered species endemic to the North East like the One-horned Indian Rhinoceros, Golden Langur, Hoolock Gibbon, and the big cats such as the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Clouded Leopard. Spend time observing the primates, which are housed in naturalistic, large enclosures that often allow for engaging viewing. Make sure to check the feeding times for certain animals as this can offer a more dynamic viewing opportunity.
Immerse Yourself in the Botanical Garden:Dedicate a significant amount of time to the Botanical Garden area, which spans approximately 82 hectares. Take a leisurely strol...
Information
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Why Famous:
Flagship Species Conservation:The primary reason for its fame is its dedicated conservation of several endangered and endemic species of the North East India. It is one of the few places where you can reliably see the Golden Langur and the Hoolock Gibbon, both primates nati...Flagship Species Conservation:The primary reason for its fame is its dedicated conservation of several endangered and endemic species of the North East India. It is one of the few places where you can reliably see the Golden Langur and the Hoolock Gibbon, both primates native to the region. The successful captive breeding programs for the One-horned Indian Rhinoceros, the pride of Assam, also draw considerable attention from wildlife enthusiasts globally. This conservation focus gives it scientific and national importance.
Largest in the North East:As the largest combined zoo and botanical garden in North East India, its massive 175-hectare size within a reserved forest area is a key distinction. This vastness allows for larger, more humane enclosures and a profound experience of nature, justifying its reputation as the "Green Lung of Guwahati. " The sheer scale of the property, housing over 113 different species, ensures a diverse and engaging experience for all age groups.
Educational and Cultural Hub:Beyond wildlife, it is famous as a central educational and cultural institution. The Forest Museum and educational signages provide invaluable insights into the diverse ecology of Assam. It serves as a major recreational and picnic spot for local families and a mandatory stop for all tourists visiting Guwahati, making it a cultural touchstone for the city. Its central location, despite its huge size, adds to its popularity and fame.
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Architecture:
Integrated Natural and Constructed Enclosures:The "architecture" of the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden is unique because it is primarily defined by its natural setting, being built within the Hengrabari Reserved Forest. This approach allows for large, relatively natur...Integrated Natural and Constructed Enclosures:The "architecture" of the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden is unique because it is primarily defined by its natural setting, being built within the Hengrabari Reserved Forest. This approach allows for large, relatively naturalistic enclosures that conform to the forest's undulating topography, which includes natural hillocks and water bodies, offering animals an environment far superior to typical caged zoos. The total area is approximately 175 hectares or 432 acres.
Botanical Garden’s Area and Layout:The Botanical Garden segment, a substantial part of the property, is approximately 82 hectares and is carefully landscaped. It is designed to showcase the rich floral diversity of Assam and the North East. A key structural feature is the Orchid House, which typically houses over 40 varieties of exotic orchids, reflecting the region's unique botany. The garden features marked trails, thematic plant sections, and open lawns for recreation.
Key Visitor and Conservation Structures:In terms of constructed architecture, the zoo features several essential structures built for both animal welfare and visitor experience. These include the specialized Reptile House for cold-blooded species and a modern Forest Museum that showcases taxidermy and other exhibits related to the region's ecology and wildlife history. Furthermore, the administrative blocks and veterinary hospital buildings, though functional, are designed to blend somewhat with the surrounding greenery. The overall design emphasizes long, walkable pathways and designated viewpoints, utilizing the natural slopes to create panoramic viewing points rather than relying on complex man-made structures. The sheer Dimension of the park—hundreds of acres—is its most dominant "architectural" element, creating an expansive, living sanctuary.
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How To Reach:
By Air:Guwahati is served by the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU), which is approximately 25 to 27 KMS from the Zoo. The airport is well-connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and international destinations. From the ... -
Near Tourist Places:
Kamakhya Temple (The revered Shakti Peeth on Nilachal Hill - ~10 KMS)Guwahati Planetarium (Modern science centre and attraction - ~4. 2 KMS)Assam State Museum (Showcasing state history and culture - ~4 KMS)Umananda Temple (On Peacock Island in the Brahmaputra River - ~8 KMS to the jetty)Navagraha Temple (Temple of the Nine Planets - ~3. 5 KMS)Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra (Cultural complex, next on the list - ~6 KMS)Nehru Park (City park for relaxation - ~4. 5 KMS)Fancy Bazaar (Guwahati's famous commercial and market hub - ~5 KMS)Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (Known for its dense population of One-horned Rhinos - ~30 KMS)ISKCON Guwahati (Prominent Krishna Temple - ~6 KMS)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety:The zoo is spread over a very large, hilly area (175 hectares), so comfortable walking shoes are a non-negotiable must. Carry a first-aid kit with essential medicines and mosquito repellent, especially during the humid or monsoon months, as you are within a ...
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Information about New and Updated Locations(400+) of Assam Has Been Added :-
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