Chhattisgarh forest department revises entry fees and safari ride charges at Nandanvan Jungle Safari and Zoo in Naya Raipur.

Visiting the popular Nandanvan Zoo and Jungle Safari in Naya Raipur is set to become significantly more expensive for tourists. The Forest and Climate Change Department of Chhattisgarh has announced a major revision in the ticket pricing policy for zoo entries, safari rides, and other available amenities at the facility.

According to officials, the updated tariff structure reflects an average hike of up to 50% across multiple ticket categories, while specific segments will see prices double from the earlier rates. The revised pricing aims to support the upkeep and enhancement of visitor infrastructure at the destination.

Hikes Across Multiple Categories

Under the newly implemented rate policy, entry tickets for children aged between 6 and 12 years have been raised to ₹50, up from the earlier charge of ₹25. Similarly, adult visitors above 12 years of age will now have to pay ₹100 instead of the previous ₹50 fee for zoo entry.

International tourists will face the steepest absolute increase, with their entry fees revised from ₹200 to ₹500. Additionally, the department has confirmed an upward adjustment in the rental rates for air-conditioned safari buses operating within the premises.

Relief and Weekend Restrictions

While rates have gone up for the general public, senior citizens above the age of 60 and differently-abled individuals will continue to enjoy free entry into the premises. Local authorities confirmed that standard valid identification cards must be produced at the counter to avail of this exemption.

Important Note: The department has clarified that the free entry privilege for senior citizens and differently-abled individuals will not be applicable on weekends, public holidays, or government-declared holidays.

Funding Operations and Maintenance

Forest department sources familiar with the matter stated that the revenue generated from the price hike will be directed toward improving animal welfare, scaling up maintenance operations, and modernizing tourist facilities.

This policy shift marks a departure from the pricing strategy under the previous state government administration, which had lowered the jungle safari rates. Earlier, the Nandanvan Zoo entry was bundled into a single package with the jungle safari ticket, a system that was later unbundled into separate components.

Wildlife Care Amid Rising Temperatures

The price revision comes at a time when the management is deploying specialized measures to shield animals from rising summer temperatures. Ground-level cues from the safari indicate that desert coolers have been installed inside animal enclosures, and water fountains are operating continuously to keep the enclosures cool.

Dietary adjustments have also been introduced by the caretakers, with special items like watermelons being served regularly to the resident bears and other wildlife to keep them hydrated during the peak afternoon hours.

Naya Raipur Safari Layout

Spread across approximately 800 acres in Sector-39 of Naya Raipur, the Nandanvan Jungle Safari is located about 35 kilometers from the Raipur Railway Station and nearly 15 kilometers from the Swami Vivekananda Airport. The expansive green reserve features the 130-acre Khandwa Reservoir, which serves as a seasonal habitat for various migratory birds.

The facility is divided into four distinct safari zones: a Herbivore Safari (30 hectares), a Bear Safari (20 hectares), a Tiger Safari (20 hectares), and a Lion Safari (20 hectares).

Specialized safari vehicles are deployed to ferry visitors along designated tracks at controlled speeds. Currently, the reserve houses 3 tigers, 4 bears, and around 80 herbivores, including species such as chital, sambar, nilgai, barking deer, and blackbuck.

Similar Heatwaves Safeguards Elsewhere

The intense summer heat has prompted similar protective measures across other zoological parks in the state. In the Durg district, where temperatures have breached the 42-degree Celsius mark, the management at Bhilai’s Maitri Bagh zoo has initiated heatwave protocols.

Special water showers and coolers have been installed in the cages of the zoo's five white tigers, including prominent tigers Rana and Singham, to help them cope with the harsh weather conditions prevailing across the region.