Photo by Bernard DUPONT/Wikimedia Commons
Few areas in the world are as naturally beautiful as Nagaland. A largely mountainous area, this slice of northeast India is home to breathtaking flora and fauna; part of the one-sixth of the state that is covered by tropical and subtropical evergreen forest. You’ll also find an impressive array of wildlife here, including pangolins, elephants, leopards and a variety of monkeys.
Oh, and falcons, too. Nagaland is renowned as the falcon capital of the world. Chief among this majestic bird is the Amur falcon, of which about one million roosts in Nagaland.
The Nagaland Zoological Park celebrates, preserves and studies this wonderful local ecosystem. And fortunately, all the lush greenery and diverse animal populations are on display for public enjoyment. Located just outside Dimapur, Nagaland’s capital city, the zoo covers 435 acres, functioning as both a place for public observation and a robust research facility.
The zoo operates with six distinct objectives as its mission:
- Administer fauna conservation programs for the region and state.
- Initiate the captive breeding of endangered species.
- Promote conservation awareness education to the public.
- Conduct scientific studies on the local fauna.
- Provide recreational and educational facilities for Nagaland residents and visitors.
While the natural surroundings are inspiringly beautiful and the zoo’s mission noble, let’s be honest, the animals are the real stars here.
Bears, leopards, monkeys, deer and crocodiles roam about in generously large enclosures. With plenty of space for the animals to get the experience of a natural habitat, the visitors can get up close and personal for memorable interactions.
The zoo’s varied bird collection boasts peacocks, some native-to-Nagaland favorites like the hornbill, and of course, falcons. In total, more than 100 species of mammals, birds and reptiles call this sanctuary home.
However, Nagaland Zoological Park is not a completed vision by any stretch. Currently, the zoo management is working on expansion plans for a safari deer park in a large, naturalistic enclosure and a butterfly habitat. An on-site boating facility for visitors is also on the horizon. Also, a future Vermicompost unit will transform the zoo’s animal waste into rich bio-fertilizer; an eco-friendly repurposing process that will possibly generate a new revenue source.
In short, the Nagaland Zoological Park is a must-visit destination when you travel through northeast India. We guarantee you’ll be excited to have a stop here on your itinerary. After all, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Nagaland Zoological Park need not cost your life savings, even if the odds of becoming rich are not in your favor. Round trip flights to Dimapur from global hubs like New York City and London can be found for around $1,000 USD.
Founded in 2008, this center is one of 25 model zoos in the country, as recognized by the Central Zoo Authority of India. The official website of the Nagaland Zoological Park states this credo: Made with love for the animals of Nagaland. We can’t help but love the amazing job the zoo does in fulfilling this mission.
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