Thanks To Organic Feed: Nehru Zoological Park of Hyderabad inmates grow healthier, stronger

The practice of organic feed to the inmates of Nehru Zoological Park is yielding good results. Officials animals are growing stronger and healthier. Moreover, the feed is sourced from crops raised within the facility. A well-balanced, chemical-free food is also ardently devoured by the animals.

Located on the banks of famous Mir Alam Tank, in Bahadurpura area, the zoo park has around 180 species of which 16 are herbivorous that include elephant, hippo, rhinoceros, bison, nilgai, giraffe, antelope and deer etc. To keep them healthy, the zoo authorities started raising leafy vegetables and some fruit plants in a vast open area on the campus two years ago.

This not only made them self-sufficient in terms of sourcing safe food but also reduced the expenses to purchase outside feed. They are raising crops like banana, spinach, sugarcane, mint, coriander and papaya besides Co4 Grass for herbivorous animals in the facility.

Ensuring availability of leafy vegetables inside the facility, they got to cut back on expenses too, informed N Kshitija, Curator, Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad. Not only that, an artificial pond with water treatment facility treats the water before letting into the fields. They are also using natural fertilisers made up of dunk of herbivorous animals such as elephant, Nilgai (Blue Bull), bison and deer etc.

As the compost is easily available in the zoo itself, they do not have to buy it from outside, say the staff engaged in farm work.