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In pics: What makes Harinalaya Mini Zoo in New Town your best bet for Sunday outing with family and kids

Developed by West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation, the 12.5-acre park boasts of mammoth enclosures and promises to bring tigers soon

My Kolkata Web Desk Kolkata Published 11.12.24, 06:12 PM
If Alipore Zoo doesn’t appeal you any more, next Sunday you might drive down to Harinalaya Mini Zoo opposite gate numbers 5 and 6 of Eco Park in New Town following Google Maps. The long road leading to the Eco Park gates and Dhamsa Kitchen offers ample parking space for a one-time parking fee of Rs 50 for four-wheelers. Two installations of bright yellow antlers on the black iron gate welcome you to the 12.5-acre zoo developed by West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBHIDCO) against an entry free of Rs 50 for adults and children above the age of five, payable in cash or UPI. Free entry below age five. No other payment option or pre-booking is available. The zoo is open from 10am to sundown in the winter months, and till 6pm in summer
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If Alipore Zoo doesn’t appeal you any more, next Sunday you might drive down to Harinalaya Mini Zoo opposite gate numbers 5 and 6 of Eco Park in New Town following Google Maps. The long road leading to the Eco Park gates and Dhamsa Kitchen offers ample parking space for a one-time parking fee of Rs 50 for four-wheelers. Two installations of bright yellow antlers on the black iron gate welcome you to the 12.5-acre zoo developed by West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBHIDCO) against an entry free of Rs 50 for adults and children above the age of five, payable in cash or UPI. Free entry below age five. No other payment option or pre-booking is available. The zoo is open from 10am to sundown in the winter months, and till 6pm in summer

Photographs by Amit Datta
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As soon as your pass the gate, you are greeted by the screeching macaws and parakeets to your left. The entire aviary lies to your left, while there are rides such as slides, mini jungle gyms and swings to your right over the lush greens
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As soon as your pass the gate, you are greeted by the screeching macaws and parakeets to your left. The entire aviary lies to your left, while there are rides such as slides, mini jungle gyms and swings to your right over the lush greens

The brightly coloured hedges lead you to the tall cages of cockatoo, eclectus parrots, scarlet macaw, lory and myriad varieties of birds. The cages have fruit trees like banana and flowering shrubs like the hibiscus offering the inmates a garden-like feel
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The brightly coloured hedges lead you to the tall cages of cockatoo, eclectus parrots, scarlet macaw, lory and myriad varieties of birds. The cages have fruit trees like banana and flowering shrubs like the hibiscus offering the inmates a garden-like feel

Two majestic crocodiles grab your attention in a huge land-and-water grassy enclosure. They could be caught sunning in the mellow winter sun if you are lucky. Nearby, the marmoset enclosure is worth checking out
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Two majestic crocodiles grab your attention in a huge land-and-water grassy enclosure. They could be caught sunning in the mellow winter sun if you are lucky. Nearby, the marmoset enclosure is worth checking out

The hippopotamus could be seen almost fully submerged in the waterbody of its enclosure and (right) giraffes keep shuttling between the shelter and the open
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The hippopotamus could be seen almost fully submerged in the waterbody of its enclosure and (right) giraffes keep shuttling between the shelter and the open

Many of the enclosures allow visitors to enjoy watching animals like crocodiles without disturbing them. Hordes of deer with three to four antlers give immense joy. The barking deer in another enclosure is worth checking out. So is the next-door neighbour, two super agile emus, who could be seen darting across the enclosure again and again
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Many of the enclosures allow visitors to enjoy watching animals like crocodiles without disturbing them. Hordes of deer with three to four antlers give immense joy. The barking deer in another enclosure is worth checking out. So is the next-door neighbour, two super agile emus, who could be seen darting across the enclosure again and again

Concrete sculptures and large images of birds have been strategically places across the mini zoo
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Concrete sculptures and large images of birds have been strategically places across the mini zoo

Signboards encouraging animal and birds and hoardings carrying green messages are installed at many points of the mini zoo
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Signboards encouraging animal and birds and hoardings carrying green messages are installed at many points of the mini zoo

When you are hungry, just step into Nature’s Cafe on the zoo premises itself and order from a wide array of Indian Chinese and other Indian dishes besides a host of snack options, mocktails and beverages. Though the zoo is a ‘No Plastic’ zone, some picnickers could be seen enjoying themselves with snacks sprawled over the garden tracts
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When you are hungry, just step into Nature’s Cafe on the zoo premises itself and order from a wide array of Indian Chinese and other Indian dishes besides a host of snack options, mocktails and beverages. Though the zoo is a ‘No Plastic’ zone, some picnickers could be seen enjoying themselves with snacks sprawled over the garden tracts

The covered shades and enclosures allow visitors to watch the antics of the inmates in leisure but summer months could be tortuous
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The covered shades and enclosures allow visitors to watch the antics of the inmates in leisure but summer months could be tortuous

Visitors could be seen enjoy badminton, flying discs and other games even as the children having fun on the rides. A pair of Bengal tigers will soon arrive at Harinalaya, just in time for the Christmas festivities
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Visitors could be seen enjoy badminton, flying discs and other games even as the children having fun on the rides. A pair of Bengal tigers will soon arrive at Harinalaya, just in time for the Christmas festivities

RELATED TOPICS

Wildlife New Town Eco Park Giraffe Crocodile Eatery Birds Hippopotamus Winter West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco) Bengal Forest Department
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