K.T.S.P Mandal’s HUTATMA RAJGURU MAHAVIDYALAYA RAJGURUNAGR Dept. of ZOOLOGY Academic Visit Tour Report of F.Y.Bsc 2017-2018 During academic year 2017-2018 Dept. of Zoologhy arranged One Day Educational study Tour of F.Y.Bsc The syllabus of Zoology makes aware about important branches of applied zoology. While in this subject the sub revence for self employment potential as its part. During our study tour period we get great experience & important knowledge about nature & Wild life . Our tour organized in month of Feb. During, this period we visited Rajivgandhi Zoopark, Snake park & Katraj Milk Dairy etc. We desire to express my deep sense of gratitude and since thanks to my teachers Prin. Dr. S.B. Patil, Prof. D.N. Birhade, for their valuable guidance & their interest during visit period. We are also thanks to Katraj Milk Dairy and their colleagues for their valuable help, guidance to provide a good hospitability. We are also thankful to all team who have made tour successful. We also thankful for our respected Principal Dr.S.B.Patil for granting the permission as per the syllabus of ‘University of Pune’ last but not in list we, Thankful of our parents, friends and non-teaching staff of our department for their guidance and help to complete our tour report. 1 2) Tour Root START OF JOURNEY. Rajgurunagar(358) → Bhosari(299) → Katraj RETURN ROOT. Katraj (299) → Bhosari (358)→ Rajgurunagar 2 1) About Rajivgangdhi Zoological Park The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park popularly known as Rajiv Gandhi Zoo is a famous animal sanctuary located in Katraj district in the heart of Pune City, Maharashtra. The Zoo is spreading over an area of 130 acres and bustling with innumerable species of reptiles, mammals and birds. The Indian Leopard, White tiger, sloth bears and Indian rock python are the major species that predominantly found in the Zoo along with some extinct animals like barking dear, black bucks also visible in the Park. The entire Park has been categorized into three parts namely animal orphanage, a snake park and a zoo. The whole park is overseen by Pune Municipal Corporation. Initially Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park was created in 1770 by Madhavrao Peshwe but it was used as a private menagerie. In the year 1953, Pune Municipal Corporation took the responsibility to rejuvenate the location and established seven acres Peshwe Park. After couple of decades later, Mr. Neelam Kumar, the first director of the Zoo set up Katraj Snake Park with the help of Pune Municipal Corporation. This Snake Park now inducted into the main Park. Finally in the year 1997, the Corporation started developing a new zoo near the Katraj region in an attempt to make it more scientific and modern zoo under the guidance of Central Zoo Authority of India. This one is named as Rajiv Gandhi Zoo and initially only contained animals like spotted dear, black bucks and various reptiles. Since then the park has been a safe haven to many wounded and orphaned animals. The Rajiv Gandhi Zoo is really a home to many species and extinct animals too. The park has been blessed with famous White tiger locally known as Tanaji. In addition, numerous mammals like monkeys, sambhars, elephants, peafowl, barking dear etc. often visible in the Jungle. Some major reptiles are Indian rock python, cobra, vipers, Indian crocodiles and amphibians like Indian star tortoise also feature in the complex eco-system of Rajiv Gandhi Zoo. The park is also rich in bird life and flourishing with wide diversity of water birds. Peacock, water Duck, Hornbills, kingfisher, flycatcher and Asian paradise flycatcher are the most notable species and often found in the Jungle. Apart from birds, the park has recorded 22 species 3 of snakes and 10 other species. India King Cobra is largest species among snakes that grows up to thirteen feet and equally venomous. On recent the park authority has decided to bring some more species in order to boost its wildlife and ecosystem. The animals to be inducted in the zoo are jungle cat, mouse deer, nilgai, fox, hyena and barking deer etc. The Rajiv Gandhi Zoo Park is located a little away from the main city and tourists can access the Park via Pune satara Highway as it bypassed the location. Katraj is the nearest Bus depot and from there visitors can available buses that go to the Park. Photo1: At the Entry Gate of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Katraj 4 2) History of Rajivgandhi Zoological Park In the year 1953, the Pune Municipal Corporation had created the Peshwe Park on the land where previously Madhavrao Peshwe had established his private menagerie in 1770. This menagerie was located in the heart of the city at the base of the Parvati Hill and exhibited animals in traditional cages. Mr. Neelam Kumar Khaire created the Snake Park with assistance from the Pune Municipal Corporation in the year 1986. Little did he know then that this land would go on to house the famous Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. He later went on to become the first director of the park and has made significant contributions to it ever since. In the year 1997, the Katraj Snake Park had to be made over as the Rajiv Gandhi Park and Wildlife Research Centre. This was to be done following the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority of India, and animals from the already existing Peshwe Park were shifted here. The zoo finally opened in 1999, and at that time, it included only the Reptile Park, spotted deer, sambars and monkeys. It took considerable time and effort to shift all the animals, and the process went on till 2005. Eventually, the work was finished and the task accomplished, and the Peshwe Park was closed. 5 3) About Katraj Snake Park The Katraj Snake Park is the most visited and loved tourist attraction in the Rajiv Gandhi Zoo that is located in Katraj, near the city of Pune in India. The Rajiv Gandhi is a famous and grand zoo that is spread over an area of 130 acres and is managed by the Pune Municipal Corporation. It is divided into three parts: the central zoo, an animal orphanage, and the most famous of all: the Katraj Snake Park. The snake park has successfully managed to acquaint thousands of visitors with the unusual and fascinating wildlife through its extensive collection of snakes, reptiles, birds and turtles. The Katraj Snake Park is a time-tested proof that fantastic and fun- filled places necessarily need not be expensive. The snake park is home to over 22 species of snakes with ten species of reptiles, that comprises of more than 150 individuals. This marvelous collection also includes a 13-foot long king cobra. In 1986, Mr. Neelam Kumar Khaire, who was the first director of the park, with assistance from the Pune Municipal Corporation, had created the Katraj Snake Park on the land that was to become the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park later on. The park since then has garnered thousands of nature enthusiasts and animal lovers. The Snake Park organizes a myriad of snake festivals and snake awareness programs to clarify doubts that people may have about snakes and to destroy fears about snakes. During Nag Panchami, the park also arranges programs that aim to focus on discouraging the ill-treatment of snakes. The species of snakes include Cobra, Pythons and Russell's vipers. Think of the Katraj Snake Park, and words like joy, laughter, fun and family moments would immediately pop up in your mind. This is exactly why a visit to this tourist attraction is a must to again get in touch with your lost childhood and adventurous streak. 6 Photo 2: At Rajiv Gandhi snake park, Katraj. 7 4) Activities & Events in Katraj Snake Park The snake park regularly organizes many snake festivals and snake awareness programs all year round in keeping with its ideals of snake conservation. These programs play a vital role in acquainting people with the much-feared and misunderstood reptile, which is on the one hand glorified and pedestaled because of traditions and superstitions, and on the other hand, despised. During Nag Panchami, the Katraj Snake Park arranges programs that correct the misinformation about snakes, and hence discourage their ill-treatment. Photo 3: At Rajiv Gandhi snake park, Katraj. 8 5) Schedule/ of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park - Entry Fee, Timing, Address, Official Website Pune-Satara Road, Near Bharathiya Vidyapeeth, Katraj, Pune, Address: Maharashtra - 411046 Entry Indians : 15 Rs. Entry fee for Foreign Nationals : 25 Rs. Entry Fee: Entry fee for Children : 5 Rs. Free entry fee for Blind & Handicapped (on providing proof) Timing: Visiting Hours - 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM Days When Closed: Wednesday Phone No (Official): + 91 020 24367712 Official Website: www.punezoo.gov.in Photography allowed Allowed or not: Nearest railway Pune Jn. Train Station station: 9 6) Visit to Katraj Milk Dairy Our college organized an visit to Katraj Dairy on the 19th of February 2018. It was a very well organized one day trip to the dairy. Where we got a chance to study the various steps and procedures involved in the purification of milk and the manufacturing of various milk products. Photo 4: At Katraj Milk Dairy, Katraj 10 7) About Katraj Milk Dairy Katraj Dairy was incorporated in 1960 with an intension of providing an organized facility of milk collection for the village level farmers situated in Pune district. Katraj Dairy started with milk collection of about 0.30 lakh (30.000) litres per day in the first year of operation and today, has steadily grown to over 2.00 lakh (0.20 million) liters per day and has a financial turnover of over Rs.250 crores Katraj Dairy has achieved ISO 22000:2005 certification from Det Norskey Veritus.