Chhatbir zoo reopens, sees 1,100 visitors

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 10

Around 1,100 people visited Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, popularly known as Chhatbir zoo, here today.

The zoo, which was closed after the Covid-induced lockdown was announced in the country on March 17, witnessed a dip in the footfall by 33 per cent today. It was thrown open for public for the first time today after being closed for nearly eight months.

Divulging details, Arshdeep Singh, Range Officer, Chhatbir zoo, said 1,100 visitors entered the zoo by 4.30 pm. Before the lockdown, around 1,500 to 2,000 people used to visit the zoo on a single day, while the number doubled during the weekends.

Arshdeep said the zoo opened with strict guidelines. They only accepted online booking and cashless payments. People above 65 years and children below five were not allowed to enter the zoo.

Online booking facility, Wi-Fi hotspot and battery operated carts were effectively utilised by the visitors. Though some visitors faced difficulties in using online booking, QR code and other cashless transaction methods, the overall response of the visitors was positive.

Bank of Baroda officials, led by senior manager Kanwardeep Singh, were present in the zoo to launch the online booking and QR code facilities for the visitors.

Dr M Sudhagar, Field Director, Chhatbir zoo, said the response of visitors was positive. The visitors felt safe in the zoo and were properly informed and guided. They also got an opportunity to see tiger cubs Amar, Arjun and Dilnoor.

RK Mishra, Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, said the response of the visitors was more than the expected. Accordingly, other zoos in the state – Mini Zoo, Patiala, Mini Zoo, Bir Talab, Bathinda, Mini Zoo, Ludhiana, and Deer Park, Neelon, would also be opened for visitors from next week.