The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched the “NZP Saathi App” and self-ticketing kiosks at the National Zoological Park, New Delhi. This initiative transitions the zoo into a digitized public space by integrating real-time geographic data and automated payment systems to streamline visitor management and reduce operational overheads.
Key Features of the NZP Saathi App
- Smart Geospatial Navigation: Utilizes absolute positioning to guide visitors to animal enclosures, medical hubs, and amenities.
- Thematic Tour Routes: Offers curated paths including the Express Tour (3km), Family Tour (6km), and Explorer/Green Route (8km), alongside a “My Tour” customizer.
- AI Integration: An interactive AI guide provides real-time directions, distance calculations, and detailed species habitat profiles.
- Digital Ticketing: New kiosks integrated with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) eliminate manual cash transactions, supported by campus-wide complimentary Wi-Fi for instant QR ticket generation.
National Zoological Park & Institutional Framework
- Origins: Established on 1 November 1959, located adjacent to the Purana Qila.
- Conservation Mandate: Focuses on ex-situ conservation, notably the captive breeding of the Manipur Brow-Antlered Deer (Sangai), Indian Rhinoceros, and Asiatic Lion.
- Regulatory Body: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA), a statutory body established in 1992 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, regulates all Indian zoos based on size, species density, and visitor footfall.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Ex-Situ Conservation: Protecting species outside their natural habitats (e.g., zoos, seed banks).
- CZA: Chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- National Zoo Policy, 1998: Prioritizes conservation of wild fauna and biodiversity through scientific breeding.
- Sangai Deer: Naturally endemic only to the floating phumdis of Loktak Lake, Manipur.