Amirthi Zoological Park

Amirthi Zoological Park
Amirthi Forest
12.732363°N 79.056673°E / 12.732363; 79.056673
Date opened	1967
Location	Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India
Land area	25 ha (62 acres)
No. of animals	297[1]
No. of species	20[2]
Annual visitors	150,513 in 2022-23 [3]
Website	amirthizoologicalpark

Amirthi Zoological Park is a zoo in Vellore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was opened in 1967 and is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from the Vellore city. The park is 25 hectares in size and has waterfalls.

Half of this jungle is cleared to serve as a tourist spot, while the other half is developed as a wildlife sanctuary. A trek for a kilometre leads one to a full view of the seasonal waterfall. The inflow of tourists is greater only during the holidays. Animals at the park include spotted deer, sambar, mongoose, porcupines, bonnet macaques, rose-ringed parakeets, budgerigars, star tortoises, peafowls, crocodiles, andIndian Rock Python^[4]

Amirthi is the biggest forest in Tamil Nadu. Located in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, Amirthi Forest is rich in a variety of fauna and flora. One half of this 25 km forest is made as a Wildlife Sanctuary and the other half serves as a tourist spot.

Development and expansion

• On 13 September 2013, Tamil Nadu government announced that it has allocated 3.5 crore rupees for the development of Amirthi zoo. This development will provide amenities such as resting places, drinking water facilities, food joints, pathways connecting waterfalls, information centres, and watch towers.^[5][6]
• Tamil Nadu Forest Department has planned to upgrade the mini zoo in Amirthi into a small zoo at a total cost of 19 crore rupees. Vellore district collector also informed that Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has approved the upgradation of Amirthi mini zoo.^[7]
• Elephant camps: Amirthi forest in the Vellore Forest division will be one of the probable sites in the future, hosting rejuvenation camps for temple elephants in the state.^[8][9]

See also

• Tourism in Vellore

References

1. "Annual Inventory of Animals in Indian zoos" (PDF). Central Zoo Authority. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
2. "Annual Inventory of Animals in Indian zoos" (PDF). Central Zoo Authority. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
3. "Annual Inventory of Animals in Indian zoos" (PDF). Central Zoo Authority. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
4. "Annual Inventory of Animals in Indian zoos" (PDF). Central Zoo Authority. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
5. "Amirthi zoo to get Rs 3.5-crore facelift". The Indian Express. 13 September 2013. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
6. "Rs. 20 crore earmarked for digging elephant-proof trenches, says Minister". The Indian Express. 6 September 2013.
7. "Forest Department plans to upgrade Amirthi zoo". The Hindu. 10 October 2010. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
8. "Amirthi forests may host elephants' camp". The Hindu. 16 February 2012.
9. "Amirthi forests may host jumbo camps". The Indian Express. 23 January 2012. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.

External links

• Official website