NB Explains | Mumbai's starts 'Crocodile Trail' with an underwater viewing deck; know about it
The "Croc Trail" — presently with three crocodiles and two gharials on the prowl — opened on Sunday to chills and thrills among the first awestruck viewers of the Byculla Zoo, as it is popularly known.
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The 162-year-old Veermata Jijabai Bhosle Botanical Garden & Zoological Museum launched a 'Crocodile Trail' with an underwater viewing deck, billed as the first of its kind in Asia, to view crocodiles and gharials, officials said here on Monday.
About Croc Trail
The 'Croc Trail' — presently with three crocodiles and two gharials on the prowl — opened on Sunday to chills and thrills among the first awestruck viewers of the Byculla Zoo, as it is popularly known. It is one of the oldest zoos in India, it is home to hundreds of carnivores and herbivores animals besides thousands of trees.
Spread over nearly one acre of water and greenery, the Croc Trail has separate enclosures for the crocodiles and gharials, and more shall be added here from other zoos in the country. A viewing gallery of approximately 1,500 square feet size has been set up in the zoo and from this platform, tourists can observe on surface and underwater movements of the reptiles, the release said.
The Croc Trail is the brainchild of BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation Administrator I.S. Chahal, Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and Deputy Municipal Commissioner Kishore Gandhi and was under implementation for several months at the zoo, sprawling over 20 hectares in south Mumbai.
What it is so special
The highlight is the submerged deck in the lake from where the visitors can simultaneously get a magnificent view of the crocodiles and gharials prancing under the murky waters, akin to their natural surroundings in the wild, and being fed their favourite foods. This trail allows tourists to observe crocodiles and Gharials up close, providing an exciting and unique experience.
📢The Veermata Jijabai Bhosle Botanical Udyan and Zoo is now offering visitors the opportunity to explore the 'Croc Trail'.
— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) May 9, 2023
🐊This trail allows tourists to observe crocodiles and Gharials up close, providing an exciting and unique experience.
🐧In addition to the crocodiles,… pic.twitter.com/JGYUhc78H3
"The underwater glass deck enables the experience of a live aquarium and also has an elevated platform from which an upper view is available for the visitors to enjoy," said an official.
In addition to the crocodiles, the Zoo is home to a variety of other fascinating creatures, including tigers, leopards, penguins, sloth bears, and the Aqua Bird Aviary, all of which are major attractions for thousands of visitors.
Presently, the zoo's chief attractions are the Humboldt Penguins colony, a first in India, bears, tigers, leopards, waterfowls and other animals that lure up to 35K visitors on weekends and 22K on weekdays.