There is no dearth of visitors to Adumalleshwar mini zoo here in recent times, though a proposal to upgrade the zoo is pending with the Central Zoo Authority of India.
According to official sources, there has been a steady increase in the number of people who visited the zoo in the last two months. Summer vacations is one among the reasons for this. Earlier, tourists visiting the historical Chitradurga fort were not keen on visiting the zoo, but following the sustained efforts of the officials in convincing guides and other tourism promoters to highlight the features of the zoo, more people are coming here every year.
The zoo was established in 1987 on 20 acres and different varieties of birds and animals, including leopards, peacocks, crocodiles, deers and bears can be found here. The total number of birds and animals in the zoo are 116. In 2012, a delegation from the Central Zoo Authority of India visited the zoo and instructed the officials to prepare an action plan for upgrading it. But even after three years, the proposal is pending with the authority, the sources said.
The officials have taken steps to develop a children’s play area and have also made arrangements for drinking water by drilling three new borewells. They have also installed closed circuit television cameras to avoid illegal activities in and around the area.
The sources said that 27,650 people visited the zoo in 2005-06 and the revenue collected was Rs 74,425. In 2006-07, the number of visitors was 31,500 and the revenue collected was Rs. 84,432. In 2007-08, the visitors were 43,183 and the revenue was Rs 1.14 lakh. In 2009-10, the visitors were 85,905 and the revenue was Rs 2.25 lakh, the sources said.
In 2010-11, the visitors were 97,160 and the revenue collected was Rs 4.6 lakh. In 2011-12, the visitors were 1.04 lakh and the revenue was Rs 4.44 lakh. In 2012-13, the visitors were 96,000 and the revenue was Rs 5.6 lakh. In 2013-14, 1.06 lakh people visited the zoo and the revenue collected was Rs 9.8 lakh, the sources added.
The zoo is situated on 20 acres
The total number of animals and birds
is 116
