JEEJAMATA UDYAN / RANICHA BAUGH MUMBAI

THE VEERMATA JEEJAMATA UDYAN / BHYCULLA ZOO
RANICHA BAUGH MUMBAI 

                                   

“This is the Only Zoo in Mumbai since 1861, also called ‘Jijamata Udyan’, ‘Byculla Zoo’, ‘Rani Baug’, ‘Victoria Garden’ in British era and Officially named ‘Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan’ now. It has varied flora & fauna with about 853 Species of plants, 3000 plus trees, Wild Animals, Birds and the only ‘heritage’ botanical garden of city, spread over 53 acres of land. Below are updated on Mumbai Zoo for List of Animals inside, Timings, Entry fees (Ticket price) for children & adults, Car parking, Address, new penguin section and more..”

History

The zoo was originally built in 1861 by the British Empire and was called the Victoria Gardens back then. It was renamed post-independence and is now affectionately called Rani Bagh by Mumbaikars. The zoo is now under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation which was donated to the then called city of Bombay by Mr. David Sassoon, the same Jewish businessman who also developed other heritage structures like the David Sassoon library, Victoria and Albert museum and the beautiful Victoria tower clock which is right inside the udyan.

List Of Animals Inside : Monkeys, Deers, Penguins, Elephants, Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Crocodile, Hippopotamus, A Lazy Python, Giraffe, Hyenas and Black Bear. It was said that leopards, Jackals, Madras Turtles will also be part of this zoo upon revamp, But not sure if these / some African animals are already in.

Plants, Trees inside Botanical Garden : With more then 3000 trees, 853 Species of plants inside the botanical garden of Mumbai zoo which was shifted from Sewri in 1861 after Sewri Botanical garden was converted into a cemetery. Some rare species of plants & trees are also seen inside. List of few not to miss are ‘Brownea Coccinea’ with blooms of flowers hanging down, ‘Cannon Ball’ tree known for it fragrance spreading flowers also called ‘Kailashpati’, ‘APTA tree’, Heard of give and take of tree leaves called ‘Sona’ in maharashtrian community dussehra festive? That is it, a very ancient tree also mentioned in Epic Mahabharata, ‘Cajeput Oil tree’ known for its remedies like headache and common cold, ‘Palas tree’ which shows up think big red flowers, ‘Tree of Heaven’ native to Myanmar is rare to be seen in Mumbai which also has small red flowers, Famous ‘Krishna’s buttercup tree’ as named after Hindu notorious god know to steal butter, These leaves are said to be used by him to steal butter.