The National Zoological Park (NZP) in New Delhi celebrated its 67th Foundation Day on November 1, 2026, with activities focused on wildlife conservation, biodiversity awareness and environmental education. The celebrations included an interactive doodle activity that attracted approximately 1,500 visitors, offering children and families an opportunity to express their ideas about protecting wildlife and nature.
The activity encouraged visitors to engage creatively with environmental conservation while learning about the importance of biodiversity. It also reflected the zoo’s efforts to expand public participation in wildlife awareness and education.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sanjeet Kumar, Director of the National Zoological Park, highlighted the institution’s role beyond providing visitors with opportunities to observe animals.
“The 67th Foundation Day is an important milestone in the Park’s journey and an occasion to renew our commitment to wildlife conservation, animal welfare, biodiversity protection and public engagement. A modern zoo is not merely a place to see animals; it is a centre for conservation, learning, research and inspiration. Every visitor, especially every child can become an ambassador for nature through informed and responsible choices”.
He also encouraged citizens to explore the country’s biodiversity and contribute to protecting wildlife and the natural environment for future generations.
19th Sunday Bird Walk Records 46 Species
As part of its ongoing biodiversity monitoring and conservation outreach initiatives, the National Zoological Park organised the 19th edition of its Sunday Bird Walk @ NZP on November 1, from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
The walk was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Paritosh Ahmed, an ornithologist, with support from volunteers. It brought together 18 participants, including students, bird enthusiasts, nature lovers, wildlife photographers and citizens interested in biodiversity.
During the programme, participants recorded 46 bird species and observed more than 500 individual birds within the designated area. These observations contributed to field-level biodiversity documentation while providing participants with practical exposure to citizen science.
Dr. Ahmed also shared insights into bird ecology, behaviour and conservation. Participants learned about the ecological importance of birds, including their role in natural pest control and their value as indicators of ecosystem health.
Bird Walks Promote Citizen Science and Environmental Awareness
Addressing participants, NZP Director Dr. Sanjeet Kumar emphasised that nature walks help develop field-identification skills and improve understanding of ecological relationships and food webs. Such activities also support biodiversity documentation and encourage a lasting interest in wildlife conservation.
The National Zoological Park has limited participation in each Sunday Bird Walk to 20 to 25 people to ensure effective learning and meaningful engagement. Interested participants must register in advance, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration forms remain open from Monday to Friday each week. Visitors can access the registration link through the National Zoological Park’s official website or the NZP Saathi mobile application.
Through its Foundation Day celebrations and regular biodiversity activities, the National Zoological Park continues to promote public involvement in conservation, environmental education and the documentation of local wildlife.
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