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The main entrance of the Zoo park.
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The
concept of exhibiting wild animals has changed from cramped
cages to vast natural and simulated enclosures . Zoos which
are based on this concept are called zoological parks .
The Andhra Pradesh forest department which has two
of India's best zoos to its credit at Hyderabad and Vishakapatnam
has set up its third venture at Tirupati , the abode of
Lord Venkateswara . This temple town which is visited by
about 40000 people per day from all corners of the country
with a number of academic and professional educational institutions
, is ideally suited to achieve the objectives of an ideal
zoological park.
The foundation for Sri Venkateswara zoological park
was laid on 29th September 1987 . Located at the foot of
the Seshachalam hills the park extends over an area of more
than 5500 acres (2200 hectares) . Few other parks can boast
of such a scenic location and a diversity of endemic flora
and fauna. Considering
the background and the attitude of the people visiting this
famous temple town, the zoological park has been developed
on a spiritual theme .The
message of conservation of nature with all its diversity
is conveyed by highlighting the role of animal and plant
life in Indian culture , mythology and literature. It also
reminds the modern man of the importance given to wild life
by our ancestors.
The
unique aspect of this zoo is that all the animals that have
been exhibited in this zoo are those which are mentioned
in our ancient epics and manuscripts such as the Ramayana
, Mahabharatha , Panchatantra etc... , exotic or foreign
species have been avoided . The main areas and enclosures
in the zoo have been named after famous locations and personalities
mentioned in Indian mythology and epics like the Ramayana
& the Mahabharata. e.g.: Kishkintha
, Jambavantha-van , Airavata-van... |
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Lord
Ganesha
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Lord
Ganesha , the elephant headed god of wisdom
and plenty is hailed as the remover of all
obstacles. He is invoked at the start of
all rituals and before any major undertaking
and hence the installation of the statue
of Lord Ganesha at the entrance of the zoo.
Ganesha has also been incorporated into
the logo of the zoo
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Depiction of 'Matsya' , 'Kurma' , 'Varaaha' and
'Narasimha' avatars at the entrance of the zoo provides
an opening to the theme of the zoo park. |
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inscription at the entrance quotes
"Beejam maam
sarvabhootanam" - "I
am the eternal seed of all creation"
Which means that god exists in all
living beings. This very sentiment
led the ancient Indians to pass on
a rich heritage which includes a high
degree of respect to animals and nature.
Owing to this , nature has sustained
itself for ages in India, but is being
destroyed since the recent past due
to the deviation from the traditions
by the modern man. |
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Quotation
from the Gita (7-10)
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The zoo endeavors to revive the
long forgotten heritage to achieve a balance
and harmony between man and nature .
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