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Location : In
Chandaka Forest, 25-km from Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Houses : A Botanical Garden
Major Variety Of Animals Found Here : White Tiger, Black Panthers
& Gharial Crocodiles
Famous As : Picnic Spot
 The
Garden of Gods
A short distance from the capital city, Bhubaneswar , the Nandankanan Zoo
lies in the splendid environs of the Chandaka forest, along the rippling
waters of the Kanjia Lake. It also contains a Botanical Garden and part of
it has been declared a sanctuary.
Famed for its white tiger population, Nandankanan, or the 'Garden of
Gods', has become a hot family favourite, with visitors getting an
excellent opportunity to enjoy seeing these regal animals in their natural
glory - in an environment conducive to their growth. Over 67 kinds of
mammals, 18 varieties of reptiles and 81 species of birds co-exist in the
deeply forested boundaries.
The zoo enjoys an excellent reputation internationally, for successfully
breeding black panthers, gharial crocodiles and white tigers in captivity.
Gharial Breeding
For the first time ever, a captive breeding centre was created for gharial
crocodiles. This important task was also facilitated by the gift of an
adult male from the Frankfurt Zoo.
 White
Tiger Breeding
One of the rarest creatures in the world, the regal white tiger, received
a new lease of life with the important research and concerted efforts
initiated to try and breed them in the natural environs of Nandankanan.
In 1980, on a day full of excitement and jubilation, the first litter of
white tigers were born to Deepak and Ganga, two normal, tawny tigers.
Subsequent litters of white tigers have been distributed to Zoos both at
home and abroad. Currently, Nandankanan is home to over 34 white tigers.
Endangered species such as the Asiatic Lion, three Indian crocodilians,
sangai lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, India pangolin, mouse deer and
countless birds, reptiles and fish have been breeding successfully at
Nandankanan.
Some of the other attractions of Nandankanan are the 34 aquaria, which are
home to a large variety of fresh water fishes. The Reptile Park's cave
like entrance is guarded by a life-size tyrannosaurus. Inside, numerous
species of crocodiles, lizards, turtles and snakes share the park with
natural ease.
The ropeway connecting the Zoo with Botanical Garden over the lake, the
boating facilities and the toy-train for children have added new feathers.
The facilities at Nandakanan include day accommodations, elephant rides
and boating.
Safaris
The White Tiger Safari, established in 1991, offers visitors the heady
excitement of viewing the rare white tigers from specially designed
protected buses.
The lion safari offers an adventurous zing to the trip to Nandankanan.
Picnics and the Lakes
Nandankanan's beautifully versatile environs offer the tourists a great
opportunity to be adventurous or laid back. If one doesn't feel like
tearing around sighting animals and watching the birds, then settle down
to a leisurely picnic and mid-afternoon nap under the trees. Visitors
feeling little more energetic can meander along one of their nature
trails.
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