An educational visit was organized for the differently-abled children of Home and Hope, an institution for mentally challenged children, and Asha, a school for the deaf, to Indira Gandhi Park and Zoo, a prominent recreational center of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant in the Steel City. The visit offered the children a day of fun, exploration and learning amidst nature and wildlife.
Dr. Avijit Biswas, DGM (Horticulture) & In-charge (ZDP) and Dr. Satyanarayan Mishra, Senior Manager (Horticulture) and Curator Biologist, led the guided tour, ensuring an engaging and interactive experience for the children. They were introduced to a variety of animals housed in the park’s enclosures, including tigers, bears, deer, gharials, monkeys, crocodiles, pythons and emus. The experts provided fascinating insights into the characteristics and behaviors of these species while patiently answering the children’s curious questions.
The children also visited the Doll Museum and enjoyed a joyful ride on the toy train that circles around the picturesque pond. The visit was attended by approximately 140 students from both institutions, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Refreshments were also provided, making the outing even more delightful.
Notably, Indira Gandhi Park, developed in the early 1950s, is one of Rourkela’s most prestigious parks, set against the stunning backdrop of Durgapur hill range. It features a rich variety of flora, attracting nature lovers and visitors. The park offers multiple attractions, including boating, an aquarium, a zoo, a musical fountain, and a children’s play arena equipped with seven play structures that bring joy to toddlers and young visitors.
The Indira Gandhi Park Zoo, managed by the Horticulture Department, is home to over 169 animals and birds from 22 different species, including six species of mammals, 13 species of birds, and three species of reptiles. The park has welcomed visitors from more than 10 schools in the month of January and February 2025, reinforcing its role as an important center for recreation and education in Rourkela.
