Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden

The Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden, commonly referred to as Guwahati Zoo, stands as the largest zoological and botanical institution in India's North East region. Situated within the Hengrabari Reserved Forest in Guwahati, India, it encompasses an expansive area of 175 hectares (432 acres). The zoo is a significant repository for wildlife, housing over 1125 individuals representing more than 115 distinct species of animals, birds, and reptiles sourced from across the globe.

History and Development

The genesis of the Assam State Zoo can be traced back to 1957, coinciding with the 64th session of the Indian National Congress held in Guwahati. An exhibit organized by the Congress's organizing committee featured several animals and birds, with a female leopard cub named Spotty proving particularly popular. Following the conclusion of the meeting, the necessity of a dedicated facility to house these creatures became apparent. These animals were subsequently relocated to Japorigog within the Hengrabari Reserve Forest, an area of 130 hectares deemed suitable for creating the necessary infrastructure. Thus, the Assam State Zoo was formally established in 1957 and opened its gates to the public in 1958.

Over the subsequent years, the zoo underwent considerable growth and expansion, introducing captivating exotic species such as orangutans, black panthers, Indian rhinoceros, zebras, ostriches, and giraffes. To acquire these exotic animals, the zoo initially engaged in exchanges, offering indigenous animals like the one-horned Indian rhinoceros to various countries. However, the focus later shifted towards prioritizing indigenous species, and the zoo initiated several successful captive breeding programs. In 1959, a dedicated forest division, the Assam State Zoo Division, was created to oversee the zoo's operations. A significant development occurred in 1982 when a museum and a botanical garden were added to the premises, transforming the institution into the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden. Further expansion took place in 2002 when an additional 45 hectares of the Hengrabari Reserve Forests were incorporated, bringing the total area to 175 hectares. The zoo also launched an Animal Adoption Scheme in August 2005.

The current Divisional Officer of the Assam State Zoo is Dr. Ashwini Kumar, IFS.