Chhatbir zoo park also referred to as (Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park).
It is a beautiful zoological garden situated in the area of Zirakpur that is
close to Chandigarh,the capital city of Punjab and Haryana.Over 82 species
of reptiles, birds and mammals have been kept within the grounds of this
northern Indian Zoo which is particullarly reputed for its Lion Safari. It is
said that the Maharaja of patiala used to perform shooting at the place where
today the Chhatbir Zoo is located .Shri Mahendra Mohan Chaudhary,the Governor
of Punjab had inaugurated the Chhatbir Zoo on 13th April in the year 1977.Thereafter
the Zoologicakl Park was renamed as the Mahendra Chaudhary Zoologicak Park.Chhatbir
Zoo occupies an area which measures 202 acres and is existent at a distance of
nearly 55kms away from Chandigarh.It is based on right banks of Ghaggar River ,
overlooking the Shivalik Hills with a stunning green backdrop.
History
The first proposal to establish a Zoological Park at Chhatbir was mooted in the year
1973 the state Goverment then decided to constitue commities at various levels soft
as to secure the co-operation ,assistance expert advice and provide co-ordination
which where vital for the establishment of such an important project.
A statelevel advisory council headed by Shri M.M. Chaudhary the then Hon'ble Governor
of Punjab was formed on 7th January ,1974 to evolve policies ,broad strategies and
decide about the overall plan of this Zoological Park .A list of members of this
committe is enclosed as Annexure1.