Name: Pune
Rating: 4.2

Katraj Snake Park, Pune Overview

The Katraj Snake Park is the most visited and loved tourist attraction in the Rajiv Gandhi Zoo that is located in Katraj, near the city of Pune in India. The Rajiv Gandhi is a famous and grand zoo that is spread over an area of 130 acres and is managed by the Pune Municipal Corporation. It is divided into three parts: the central zoo, an animal orphanage, and the most famous of all: the Katraj Snake Park. The snake park has successfully managed to acquaint thousands of visitors with the unusual and fascinating wildlife through its extensive collection of snakes, reptiles, birds and turtles.

The Katraj Snake Park is a time-tested proof that fantastic and fun-filled places necessarily need not be expensive. The snake park is home to over 22 species of snakes with ten species of reptiles, that comprises of more than 150 individuals. This marvellous collection also includes a 13-foot long king cobra. In 1986, Mr Neelam Kumar Khaire, who was the first director of the park, with assistance from the Pune Municipal Corporation, had created the Katraj Snake Park on the land that was to become the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park later on. The park since then has garnered thousands of nature enthusiasts and animal lovers.

The Snake Park organises a myriad of snake festivals and snake awareness programs to clarify doubts that people may have about snakes and to destroy fears about snakes. During Nag Panchami, the park also arranges programs that aim to focus on discouraging the ill-treatment of snakes. The species of snakes include Cobra, Pythons and Russell's vipers. Think of the Katraj Snake Park, and words like joy, laughter, fun and family moments would immediately pop up in your mind. This is exactly why a visit to this tourist attraction is a must to again get in touch with your lost childhood and adventurous streak.

History of Katraj Snake Park

In the year 1953, the Pune Municipal Corporation had created the Peshwe Park on the land where previously Madhavrao Peshwe had established his private menagerie in 1770. This menagerie was located in the heart of the city at the base of the Parvati Hill and exhibited animals in traditional cages. Mr Neelam Kumar Khaire created the Snake Park with assistance from the Pune Municipal Corporation in the year 1986. Little did he know then that this land would go on to house the famous Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. He later went on to become the first director of the park and has made significant contributions to it ever since.

In the year 1997, the Katraj Snake Park had to be made over as the Rajiv Gandhi Park and Wildlife Research Centre. This was to be done following the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority of India, and animals from the already existing Peshwe Park were shifted here. The zoo finally opened in 1999, and at that time, it included only the Reptile Park, spotted deer, sambars and monkeys. It took considerable time and effort to shift all the animals, and the process went on till 2005. Eventually, the work was finished and the task accomplished, and the Peshwe Park was closed.

Animals in Katraj Snake Park

The snake park boasts of an enviable collection of multiple snakes, birds, turtles and reptiles. The reptiles that can be found here include the Indian rock python, snakes, vipers, cobra, Indian crocodiles and Indian star tortoise. In all, there are over 22 species of snakes here, with ten species of reptiles. Together, these comprise of more than a hundred and fifty individuals.
Among the chief attractions that can be found at the park, the rare species of Brown Palm Civet, a nine feet long King Kobra brought from Sunderbans, some rare species of birds and turtles are a few.

Things To Look Out For in Katraj Snake Park

1. Other than its collection of snakes, the park also includes a library. Detailed information about the snakes is provided in Braille as well as the conventional formats.
2. Apart from the snakes, the central zoo is also home to several other mammals and birds. Many wild cats, the white tiger, leopard, sloth bear, barking deer, sambhars, black bucks, crocodiles and the Indian tortoise also live here. The zoo is thus a one-stop destination for children and wildlife enthusiasts. Do not give watching these animals a miss while at the zoo.
3. The zoo overlooks a large 42-acre lake, wherein you can enjoy boating.

Activities and Events at Katraj Snake Park

The snake park regularly organises many snake festivals and snake awareness programs all year round in keeping with its ideals of snake conservation. These programs play a vital role in acquainting people with the much-feared and misunderstood reptile, which is on the one hand glorified and pedestalized because of traditions and superstitions, and on the other hand, despised. During Nag Panchami, the Katraj Snake Park arranges programs that correct the misinformation about snakes, and hence discourage their ill-treatment.

Katraj Snake Park Timings and Entry Fee

The Katraj Snake Park is open on all days except Wednesdays, from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

The entry fee of the Katraj Snake Park is as follows:
1. For adults: INR 3 per person
2. For children: INR 2 per person

Photography

allowed

Tips For Visiting Katraj Snake Park

1. Weekends usually witness a lot of visitors, so plan your trips accordingly.
2. Plastic is banned inside the zoo premises.
3. Feeding and teasing the animals in the zoo is a punishable offence.
4. Do not try to be too adventurous and make sure that you have a guide to take you around.

How To Reach Katraj Snake Park

The Katraj Snake Park is located on the outskirts of the city, along with the Pune Satara Highway, near the Bharati Vidyapeeth University. It is just 8 kilometres away from Pune and is quite close to the Katraj Bus Depot. Six seater auto rickshaws are readily available and can be hired from Swargate. City buses are also available after every ten minutes, from the Swargate station to the Katraj Snake Park.