Manda Rescue Centre to be fully equipped rehab hub
Herbivore Safari, Fossil Park to redefine visitor experience
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 26: In a landmark initiative set to redefine wildlife conservation and nature-based tourism in Jammu, 20 years Master Plan for Jambu Zoo in Nagrota has been prepared along with major upgradation of the Manda Rescue Centre. Together, the projects promise to transform the region into North India’s premier eco-tourism, conservation and wildlife rehabilitation hub, integrating world-class facilities with sustainable development and community participation.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that Master Plan (2025-2044) envisions Jambu Zoo as a top-tier zoological park and eco-tourism destination where conservation, education and recreation come together. With naturalistic enclosures, advanced technology, immersive visitor zones and a dedicated rescue facility working in tandem, the initiative is expected to dramatically elevate Jammu’s ecological, tourism and conservation footprint.
Describing the integrated plan as a forward-looking blueprint that will reshape Jammu’s wildlife management and public engagement for decades to come, they said the Master Plan proposes a sweeping expansion of the zoo with several new attractions expected to significantly increase visitor inflow.
The new attractions, as per the Master Plan, will be Herbivore Safari offering guided tours through semi-natural habitats where native species roam freely, walk-through aviary allowing visitors to experience birds in an immersive environment, Butterfly Park showcasing vibrant species while promoting biodiversity education, Fossil Park featuring prehistoric life displays, making the zoo a learning centre for natural history and AR/VR Interpretation Zones to modernize wildlife education and captivate younger audiences.
The Master Plan also proposes new animal enclosures, enhanced pathways, eco-friendly transport options like battery-operated vehicles, upgraded signage and improved accessibility features making the zoo inclusive and visitor-friendly.
Further, the Master Plan lays special emphasis on conserving endangered species of the Western Shivalik Himalayas, particularly vultures, pangolins and other threatened fauna. Naturalistic habitats will be created to enable conservation breeding and support rehabilitation and, where possible, release into natural habitats.
“The zoo will function as a major centre for ex-situ conservation, scientific research, education and Information-Communication-Extension activities”, sources said, adding “the Master Plan aligns eco-tourism growth with community development and local residents will benefit from sustainable livelihood opportunities through outsourcing of services such as canteens, battery-operated vehicles, bicycles and nature trail services, eco-guide operations and souvenir and visitor service kiosks”.
“A central component of the Master Plan is the transformation of the existing Manda facility into a fully equipped Rescue, Rehabilitation and Conservation Support Centre”, sources said, adding “the upgraded centre will serve as a satellite facility for treatment, care and rehabilitation of injured, orphaned and rescued wild animals, a hub for conservation breeding support, a veterinary care unit offering on-site medical intervention and a public outreach and awareness platform on wildlife protection and human-animal conflict mitigation”.
Aligned with Central Zoo Authority (CZA) norms, the centre will work in close coordination with Jambu Zoo, forest divisions and protected areas, forming a crucial node in Jammu’s wildlife management network.
According to the sources, both Jambu Zoo and Manda Rescue Centre are set to emerge as major centres for scientific studies and habitat management research, building a comprehensive wildlife database for cross-agency collaboration and awareness and training programmes aimed at strengthening public participation in conservation.
Once executed, the Jambu Zoo Master Plan and upgraded Manda Rescue Centre are expected to position Jammu among the top wildlife conservation and eco-tourism destinations in North India offering world-class experiences to visitors and robust protection to the region’s fauna”, they further said, adding “with its mix of conservation science, cutting-edge attractions, community involvement and sustainable tourism strategies, the project will mark the beginning of a new era in Jammu’s environmental stewardship and nature-based development”.
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