Aug 12, 2025: Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, presided over a meeting today to look over how Jambu Zoo works and talk about plans to expand it to make it more popular as a major tourist destination. Sheetal Nanda, the video-conferencing Commissioner Secretary for Forest, Ecology, and Environment, Chief Wildlife Warden Sarvesh Rai, and other senior officers in person attended the meeting.

The Minister emphasized Jambu Zoo's rapid rise to prominence as a popular tourist destination. He emphasized that concentrated efforts were required to realize its full potential and significantly boost visitor traffic. He stressed that development of the zoo should be guided by a vision to make it a world-class attraction through sustainable practices and innovative visitor amenities.

In order to attract visitors, the Minister suggested incorporating climate responsive features like shaded recreation areas, green tunnels, tensile sheds, interactive indoor exhibits, and well-crafted marketing campaigns. The Minister also emphasized that animal welfare must remain a core priority for the zoo. He directed the officials to establish a robust monitoring system to ensure proper diet, nutrition and healthcare for all species in line with veterinary guidelines.
Rana further called for implementing green initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, adoption of renewable energy solutions, a Zero-Waste Policy and soil and water conservation measures in the zoo. He also enquired about the existing staff strength and highlighted the need for adequate, well-trained personnel to ensure smooth operations, high standards of animal care and an enhanced visitor experience.

Chief Wildlife Warden Sarvesh Rai gave a detailed presentation on the existing visitor facilities and outlined the zoo’s ambitious expansion plans. He told the meeting that eleven new animal enclosures had been built, and the remaining ones were supposed to be done by December 2025. Zebra, Rhinoceros, Sloth Bear, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Primates, and other native and exotic animals will be introduced by the zoo. Nature trails, elevated walkways, log huts, tree houses, themed rest areas, a toy train for children, and the implementation of a smart zoo management system are also included in the development plan. A fossil and dinosaur park that aims to educate and entertain visitors will be one of the most important upcoming attractions. An immersive AR/VR setup will also be installed to allow the guests to explore extinct and rare species in a simulated environment.

During the meeting, it was also mentioned that the zoo will introduce seasonal themed events and a Night Safari to broaden the experience for visitors, extend the hours of operation, and increase tourism and revenue.