There has been a culture of non-violence and peace in India since ancient times. Since time immemorial, there has been love and respect for wildlife in Indian culture. The purpose of the establishment of zoos is to give respect to the wildlife in a wide range of facilities in the above context. Gorakhpur is an important place of Purvanchal. This city has been the “Tapo Bhoomi” of Mahayogi Guru Gorakshanath Ji Maharaj, after whose name this area was formerly known as Gorakshapur, which is currently known as Gorakhpur.
Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park is located on the Gorakhpur-Deoria bypass road near the picturesque Ramgarh Tal and about 08 km away from Gorakhpur Railway/Bus station and about 11 km from the airport. This zoological park is the first zoological park of Purvanchal and the third of Uttar Pradesh. The historical Ramgarh Tal is situated on one side of it and the distance of the historical and famous Gorakhnath temple is also only 10 km from the zoo. The city of Gorakhpur is surrounded by the Rapti and Rohin rivers. Kapilvastu, the birth place of Mahatma Gautam Buddha and Kushinagar, the place of Parinirvana, is also close to this city. It has developed as a delightful place from the point of view of tourism, due to the proximity to the circuit house, Buddhist museum, constellation, boating and water sports complex, etc.
The purpose of the establishment of this zoological park is to protect and promote wildlife and to make tourists aware of the importance of conservation of natural resources to maintain ecological balance. In this zoo being established in a total area of 121.342 acres (49.10 ha), about 34.00 acres (28%) area is already developed in the form of wetland and 30.00 acres (25%) area as woodland i.e. dense forest.
Gorakhpur Zoological Park is cited as a world-class zoological park due to the wonderful combination of wetland area and woodland area in the zoological park. Due to the arrival of migratory birds in the said wetland area and oxygen being emitted in abundance from the woodland area, tourists also get the pleasure of viewing in a healthy environment.
Tree plantation has been done in an additional area of 20 acres (16.5%) in the zoological park, that is, about 46.5 percent of the area of the zoological park is covered with trees. Due to the development of the zoological park as a green belt / forest like area, the entire area of the zoological park acts as a “carbon sink” and “green lungs” for the residents of Gorakhpur city and to the visiting tourists.
By using state-of-the-art scientific methods and resources for conservation of wild animals, breeding/proliferation of protected wild animals, giving priority to the collection and breeding work of wild animals of endangered species. It shall be maintained in such a way that every wild animal fulfills the implication objectives of the zoological park. To achieve this objective, a detailed management plan of each species is also being prepared by the zoological park management.
High class closed circuit cameras have also been installed in the zoological park area for effective protection of wildlife and tourists. A state-of-the-art veterinary hospital has also been built for monitoring the health of wild animals, scientific study of their nature and research. Apart from this, incinerators have also been installed for disposal of dead wild animals and veterinary waste.
Arrangements have been made to keep 387 wild animals of more than 58 species in Gorakhpur Zoological Park, including Asiatic Lion, tiger, leopard, rhinoceros, zebra, hippopotamus, 02 species of bear, 03 species of monkey, 06 species of deer. Various species of reptiles and birds including hyena, wolf, aquarium, butterfly park, crocodile, etc. are the center of attraction. A total of 06 quarantine centers, 04 rescue centers, 01 state-of-the-art Vet. hospital, 01 post-mortem house, 01 kitchen and feed store and incinerator have also been constructed in the zoological park. Since Gorakhpur Zoological Park is the only zoological park in Purvanchal. Establishment of rescue centers facilitate to rescue wild animals straying from the forests of Purvanchal and its adjoining Bihar state and Nepal in the populated area and for their immediate rescue and treatment and thus avoiding man-animal conflict.
Along with this, the zoo has public facilities like interpretation center, 7D theatre, open air theater, ATM booth, clock room, souvenir shops, cafeteria, kiosk, gazebo, resting shed, benches, battery operated vehicle, toilet block. Arrangements have also been made of wheel chair for handicapped, pram for babies etc.