Nandan Van Zoo
{{Infobox zoo
| zoo_name = Nandan Van Zoo
| location = Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| date_opened = 1979
| coordinates = {{coord|21.282|81.544|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| area = 800 acres
| exhibits = Herbivore Safari, Bear Safari, Tiger Safari, Lion Safari
}}
Nandan Van Zoo or Nandan van Jungle Safari is a tourist destination located at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. It is located on the banks of the Kharun River.{{Cite web |title=Nandanvan Garden |url=https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/chhattisgarh/raipur/nandanvan-garden |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Incredible India |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Nandanvan Jungle Safari - A Wonderful Wildlife Park in Naya Raipur |url=https://www.theindia.co.in/places/nandanvan-jungle-safari |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=www.theindia.co.in}}{{Cite news |date=1 July 2020 |title=Raipur Jungle Safari and Nandanvan will open after 105 days tourists will be able to visit {{!}} रायपुर: 105 दिनों बाद खुल रहा है नंदनवन और जंगल सफारी लेकिन इन नियमों का रखना होगा ख्याल |url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/madhya-pradesh-chhattisgarh/raipur-jungle-safari-and-nandanvan-will-open-after-105-days-tourists-will-be-able-to-visit/704339 |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=Zee News}}{{Cite news |date=7 April 2020 |title=Chhattisgarh govt orders sanitisation of Raipur jungle safari, tiger reserves |url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/chhattisgarh-govt-orders-sanitisation-of-raipur-jungle-safari-tiger-reserves-2274614.html |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=Zee News English}} It is spread into 800 acres.{{Cite news |date=1 November 2016 |title=Chhattisgarh: PM Narendra Modi turns photographer during jungle safari in Naya Raipur |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pm-modi-turns-photographer-during-jungle-safari-in-naya-raipur-3732025/ |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=The Indian Express}}It contains 130 acre of water body named ‘Khandwa Reservoir’ which attracts many migratory bird species. {{Cite web |title=Nandanvan Jungle Safari {{!}} District Raipur ,Government of Chhattisgarh {{!}} India |url=https://raipur.gov.in/en/tourist-place/jungle-safari/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |language=en-US}}
History
Nandan Van Safari was established in 1979. It began as a rescue shelter for distressed animals and evolved into a tourist and wildlife destination. In 2016, PM Modi inaugurated the Safari in Naya Raipur and made it open to the public.{{Cite news |date=1 November 2016 |title=Modi gets up close and personal with tiger at Chhattisgarh's Nandan Van Jungle |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/photo/narendra-modi-tiger-chhattisgarh-nandan-van-jungle-20576-2016-11-01 |work=India Today}}{{Cite news |date=26 January 2020 |title=Check Out These 5 Interesting Facts About Naya Raipur's Jungle Safari |url=https://www.india.com/travel/articles/5-interesting-facts-about-naya-raipurs-jungle-safari-inaugurated-by-pm-narendra-modi-in-chhattisgarh-3231608/ |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=India.com}}
Safari Infrastructure
The zoo and safari collectively house over 76 animals, including several key species native to India.Some of the important animals are bear, tiger, lion, deer, wild buffalo and blackbuck.{{Cite news |date=29 February 2024 |title=Naya Raipur Jungle Safari animals death rocks assembly |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/deaths-of-wild-animals-in-naya-raipur-jungle-safari-rock-assembly/articleshow/108090417.cms |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite news |date=18 June 2024 |title=Jungle Safari in Chhattisgarh's Raipur all set to welcome new animals |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/jungle-safari-in-chhattisgarhs-raipur-all-set-to-welcome-new-animals20240618163805/ |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=ANI News}}
The entire safari area is covered by a chain-link fence measuring 5 meters and 1.5 meters in height. The safari environment has vegetation, natural shelters, and water bodies to support the animals. A green is developed along the safari boundary and service road. Over 55,000 saplings were planted within the safari area.{{Cite web |title=Nandanvan Jungle Safari {{!}} District Raipur ,Government of Chhattisgarh {{!}} India |url=https://raipur.gov.in/en/tourist-place/jungle-safari/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |language=en-US}} It is open for the public Tuesday to Sunday from 9AM to 4PM.{{Cite news |date=2024-08-19 |title=Eco-friendly move: No more plastic in Nandanvan Safari from Aug 18 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/nandanvan-safari-bans-plastic-from-aug-18/articleshow/112615248.cms |access-date=2025-06-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}