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{{short description|Zoo in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=May 2016}}
{{POV|date=May 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2016}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name=Maharajbagh zoo
|native_name=
|logo=
|logo_width=
|logo_caption=
|image=A view of Maharajbag, Nagpur.jpg
|image_caption=A view of Maharajbagh Garden
|date_opened=
|coordinates={{coord|21.143521|79.076462}}
|location=[[Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth]], [[Nagpur]]
|members=[[Central Zoo Authority]]
|website={{URL|http://www.cza.nic.in/}}
}}
'''Maharajbagh zoo''' is the central zoo of [[Nagpur]], [[India]]. The zoo is located in the heart of the city and has been built on the garden of the [[Bhonsle]] and [[Maratha]] rulers of the [[Nagpur kingdom|city]].<ref name="Info">{{cite web |url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/39427.htm|title=Maharaj Baug and Zoo|publisher=India9.com|accessdate=1 June 2006}}</ref> The zoo comes under the [[Central Zoo Authority]] (CZA) of India and is maintained by the [[Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth]] (PKV) of Nagpur.<ref name="times13">{{Cite news | title = Now, adopt a tiger for a lakh from Maharajbagh Zoo in Nagpur | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Now-adopt-a-tiger-for-a-lakh-from-Maharajbagh-Zoo-in-Nagpur/articleshow/21266416.cms | newspaper =The Times of India | date =23 July 2013 | accessdate = 23 July 2013 }}</ref><ref name="wall">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-11-09/nagpur/27968277_1_nagpur-municipal-corporation-collectorate-cr-proposal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021001225/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-11-09/nagpur/27968277_1_nagpur-municipal-corporation-collectorate-cr-proposal|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 October 2012|title=NMC's Rs 1 cr proposal for zoo's wall|date=9 November 2007|accessdate=19 May 2008|first1=Vijay|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|last1=Pinjarkar}}</ref> The zoo had come under scrutiny in 2006 for possible closure due to issues concerning animal healthcare but was cleared of all objections raised by CZA in 2007. The [[Government of Maharashtra]] has approved a new safari park of international standards next to [[Gorewada Lake]] in the city. Animals from Maharajbagh zoo would be moved to this new animal park but the older zoo will remain open for new animals.<ref name="Interim">{{cite news|url=http://news.hitavadaonline.com/news/index.php?mode=single&page=10&n=15274|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071024224928/http://news.hitavadaonline.com/news/index.php?mode=single&page=10&n=15274|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2007|title=Interim recognition for Maharajbagh|last=Vaidya|first=Vikas|work=hitavadaonline.com|accessdate=24 August 2007}}</ref><ref name="mates">{{cite news|url=http://news.hitavadaonline.com/news/index.php?mode=single&page=10&n=15564|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071024224928/http://news.hitavadaonline.com/news/index.php?mode=single&page=10&n=15564|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2007|title=Two mates arrive for Ajay|author=Staff Reporter|date=28 July 2007|publisher=hitavadaonline.com/|accessdate=28 July 2007}}</ref>

== Zoo ==
[[File:Spotted deer at Maharajbag Zoo.jpg|thumb|right|A spotted deer at Maharajbagh]]
The zoo is home to [[leopard]]s, [[lion]]s, [[tiger]]s, [[Peafowl|peacocks]] and other animals.<ref name="mates"/> One of the famous attractions in the zoo - a pair of leopards - Julie and Gopal died of old age in 2006. The pair’s cub is still in the zoo.<ref name="Julie">{{cite news|url=http://news.hitavadaonline.com/news/index.php?mode=single&page=10&n=12205|title=Female panther Julie dies in Maharajbagh, peacock rescued from Telangkhedi woods|last=Vaidya |first=Vikas |publisher= news.hitavadaonline.com|accessdate=31 December 2006}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

== Closure notice and later recognition ==
Maharajbagh zoo is one of the smaller zoos in India and has consistently faced a shortage of funds for expansion and maintenance. In 2006, the [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)]] ordered the Maharashtra government to close smaller zoos in the state if they did not comply with the 1998 National Zoo policy. These orders applied to Nagpur’s zoo as it lacked open enclosures for its animals.<ref name="order">{{cite news|url=http://news.hitavadaonline.com/news/index.php?mode=single&page=10&n=10907|title=Centre's order to close small zoos in Mah|last=Vaidya|first=Vikas|publisher= news.hitavadaonline.com|accessdate=31 December 2008}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Among the 51 objections raised by CZA were that lack of a wall along the nearby open nullah, or water channel, could cause infections among the animals.<ref name="Interim"/><ref name="Maharajbagh">{{cite news|url=http://news.hitavadaonline.com/news/index.php?mode=single&page=10&n=12262|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071024224928/http://news.hitavadaonline.com/news/index.php?mode=single&page=10&n=12262|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2007|title=Maharajbagh zoo will not be closed down|last=Vaidya|first=Vikas|publisher= news.hitavadaonline.com|accessdate=3 January 2007}}</ref> [[Indian rupee|INR]] 1 [[lakh|lacs]] from [[Nagpur Municipal Corporation]] helped build a wall and open enclosures and the zoo was cleared of notice.<ref name="wall"/>

The zoo came under controversy in August 2009, Nagpur's [[Guardian Minister]] [[Balasaheb Thorat]] entered a tiger's cage flouting India's Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.<ref name="Minister">{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/minister-flouts-nagpur-zoo-rules-enters-tigers-cage/99325-37.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818000020/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/minister-flouts-nagpur-zoo-rules-enters-tigers-cage/99325-37.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 August 2009|title=Minister flouts Nagpur zoo rules, enters tiger's cage |date=16 August 2009|publisher=IBNLive.com|accessdate=17 August 2009}}</ref>

== Project Gorewada ==
In 2001 the [[Government of Maharashtra]] had planned a zoo complying with international standards and two locations, [[Goregaon]] in [[Mumbai]] and Gorewada in Nagpur, were shortlisted. Due to space limitations in Mumbai, the Gorewada site was selected. In 2006, the State government approved the new {{convert|1700|acre|km2}} safari park on Forest Department land near Gorewada lake.<ref name="Wait">{{cite news|url=http://karmayog.org/zoonews/zoonews_10552.htm|title=Wait for international zoo lingers on|date=5 October 2007|publisher=karmayog.org|accessdate=19 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120103546/http://www.karmayog.org/zoonews/zoonews_10552.htm|archive-date=20 November 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Project Gorewada'' will be based on the example of Singapore's animal parks and will cost around [[Indian rupee|INR]] 500 [[crore]]. The project is expected to attract 25 to 30 lakh [[tourist]]s each year and will boost [[Vidarbha]]'s economy.<ref name="cleared">{{cite news|url=http://news.hitavadaonline.com/news/index.php?mode=single&page=11&n=9131|title=Gorewada zoo project cleared|date=20 July 2006|publisher= news.hitavadaonline.com|accessdate=19 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The project will a [[zoological park]] satisfying international standards, a [[botanical garden]], a [[Animal husbandry|breeding centre]], a [[safari|safari park]], night safari, wetlands, an interpretation centre and [[eco-tourism]], a rare combination in India. The State government is in the process of creating the Gondwana Foundation entrusted with some autonomy to finance and build the project.<ref name="jolt">{{cite web|url=http://www.nagpurpulse.com/finance-ministry-s-jolt-gondwana-zoo-bio-park|title=Finance Ministry's jolt to Gondwana Zoo, Bio-Park|publisher= www.nagpurpulse.com|accessdate=19 May 2008}}</ref> Initially, the [[Singapore]]-based Bernard Harrison and Friends were selected for preparing the master plan of the project and now the state government will invite new tenders on a [[Build Operate Transfer]] basis for this project.<ref name="cleared"/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Nagpur}}

[[Category:Zoos in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Nagpur]]

Maharajbagh Zoo - Revision history

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