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Pune zoo to add zebras and lion-tailed macaque, among others; hike ticket prices. Here’s what you will have to pay

According to the Pune Municipal Corporation, which runs the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Centre, the current ticket prices are minimal compared to those at other zoos.

PMC will place the proposal to raise the ticket prices of the Pune zoo for approval on Thursday. (File Photo/Pavan Khengre)

To make the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Centre in Katraj self-reliant and add more animals, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) announced on Tuesday that it will increase revenue by considering a 50 per cent increase in ticket prices.

According to officials, PMC will place the proposal to raise the ticket prices of the Pune zoo for approval on Thursday.

They said the new ticket price for adults will be Rs 60, up from Rs 40. Children will now have to pay Rs 20 instead of Rs 10, foreigners will have to pay Rs 150 instead of Rs 100, students of private schools will have to pay Rs 20, and those of government schools will have to pay Rs 10, they added.

“The actual expenditure done by the PMC for the zoo is much higher than the collected revenue. The expenditure is going to increase further,” said Naval Kishore Ram, Municipal Commissioner.

The expenses include those incurred for animal food, employee salaries, and the maintenance and future expansion of the zoo, he said.

“The ticket prices at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park are very minimal compared to those at other zoos in the country. Thus, it will be appropriate to increase the ticket prices at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. It will help increase its revenue and enable it to become self-reliant.”

The ticket prices are being raised after a detailed discussion, he said, adding that the previous hike was in November 2018.

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Officials also said the Pune zoo will soon house zebras, mouse deer, and lion-tailed macaques, for which new enclosures are being constructed as part of the redevelopment of the snake park. The zoo will also have cages for marmosets, tamarins, and wild dogs.

At present, the zoo has tigers, leopards, lions, sloth bears, blackbucks, spotted deer, chinkaras, sambar, monkeys, reptiles, snakes, and a few birds.

“It is necessary to charge ticket prices considering the number of animals on display and the facilities made available to visitors. Also, the expenditure on maintenance and ongoing work as per the master plan for the expansion of the zoo is on the rise and will increase further,” said the PMC commissioner.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More

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