Asia’s first underwater crocodile viewing gallery being built in Byculla Zoo

The highlight of this gallery is that the reptile can be seen underwater through glass window and if the reptile is on land, one can go to the upper deck and view it. Theme-based landscape and interiors are being developed with a good aesthetic view

Mumbai: The Veer Jijamata Bhosale Udyan, commonly called the Byculla zoo, is set to get Asia’s first-of-its-kind underwater crocodiles and gharials viewing gallery, which will be thrown open to public in the second week of April.

Mumbai, India - October 18, 2022: Asia's first underwater viewing gallery of crocodiles and alligators under construction. Around 10 of both reptiles would be exhibited through lower viewing gallery where one can see them swimming under water and basking from the upper deck. The gallery is around 3000 sq.mts. out of which 1500 sq.mts. is allocated to both reptiles and it will be open for the public next year, at Veermata Jijamata Bhosale Udyan & Zoo, Byculla, in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/Hindustan Times) (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT PHOTO)

Spread over 4,200 sqm, the crocodile project aims to provide a novel experience to visitors, especially, those who like to observe reptiles. Currently home to five crocodiles and two gharials, the zoo is capable of housing 20 more of both these animals. The zoo has planned to add more of these by bringing in five crocodiles from Solapur Zoo and five gharials from Nandankanan in Odisha.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s first underwater viewing gallery will provide the experience of an aquarium, which will have an elevated platform through which an elevated view can be enjoyed. Also, there will be a viewing gallery below the ground level, which will provide an underwater view of the reptiles similar to an aquarium.

Dr Sanjay Tripathi, director of Byculla zoo, said, “The highlight of this gallery is that the reptile can be seen underwater through glass window and if the reptile is on land, one can go to the upper deck and view it. Theme-based landscape and interiors are being developed with a good aesthetic view.”

A natural habitat with sand, soil, trees and water are some of the props that will be set up near the underwater viewing gallery. The consultant appointed is Thailand-based HKS Designers & Consultant International Co. Ltd, who had also designed exhibits for Humboldt penguins. The concept design for crocodiles is approved by the Central Zoo Authority.

This crocodile viewing gallery will be near the entrance of the Byculla zoo and close to the newly-constructed dome-shaped aviary for aquatic birds.

The Byculla zoo also boasts of homey new enclosures for birds and a many other creatures with a walk-through aviary, housing over 100 birds with 21 species, and vaunts the most wide-ranging aviary in the whole of Asia. Its current crowd pullers are the Humboldt penguins and the Royal Bengal tigers.