Gopalpur Zoo

Established in 1992, Gopalpur Zoo, officially named Dhauladhar Nature Park, is a beautiful small-category zoo located in Gopalpur village, near the Dhauladhar Mountain Range in the district of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, India. The area of Gopalpur Zoo is 12.5 hectares and derived its name from Dhauladhar Mountain Range. It was officially inaugurated on April 23, 1992, and houses 7 types of mammals, 7 types of birds, 3 types of birds of prey, 2 types of birds, and 2 types of reptiles. They are kept in a natural habitat environment. The zoo also helps rescue wild animals from different parts of Himachal Pradesh.

It’s one of the most popular tourist spots in Himachal Pradesh. Visitors camping nearby often visit Gopalpur Zoo. This zoo also has natural parks for visitors to enjoy nature.

Vision of the Zoo:
To provide wild animals a natural home and educate people about conserving the plants and animals in the area through awareness programs.

Mission:
To encourage visitors to care for wild animals and support wildlife conservation to create a better world for animals and humans.

Objective:
a). To make visitors aware of nature and wildlife.
b.) Rescue and Conserve wild animals.
c.) To provide student research opportunities in wildlife, focusing on ecology, behaviour, and disease investigation.

Gopalpur Zoo photos: Barasingha (swamp deer)

History of Gopalpur Zoo

In October 1991, construction work began to establish the zoo in the Gopalpur area.
On April 23, 1992, the zoo was officially inaugurated and opened to the public by the Honorable Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sh. Shanta Kumar.
Entry fees were imposed for entering Gopalpur Zoo starting from May 25, 1992.
On February 1, 1993, N. S. Thakyal was officially appointed as the Range Forest Officer cum Zoo In-charge of Gopalpur Zoo.
Initially, the zoo was named ‘Dhauladhar Nature Awareness Center Gopalpur’, but in June 1994, the name was changed to ‘Dhauladhar Nature Park’.
The park is situated in a location that provides a panoramic view of the distinct characteristics of the Dhauladhar Mountain Ranges and the valley below, which is why it is officially named Dhauladhar Nature Park.

Gopalpur Zoo photos: Barasingha (swamp deer)

Gopalpur Zoo Map and Surroundings

The Gopalpur Zoo is located 12 kilometers from Palampur along the Palampur-Dharamshala road. The famous Chamundaji temple, which is an important pilgrimage site, is about 6 kilometers from Gopalpur. The tea gardens in the surrounding areas enhance the beauty of the region. Its proximity to tourist spots like Dharamshala, Palampur, and the Chamundaji Temple attracts thousands of tourists every year.

CSK HPKV Palampur, Veterinary College, ICAR, IVRI, and numerous schools and colleges from at least seven districts of Himachal Pradesh benefit their students with learning opportunities and exposure to the natural environment of the park by organizing visits to this park for educational purposes.

Covering an area of 12.5 hectares, Gopalpur Zoo (Dhauladhar Nature Park) has beautifully designed gardens along with small forested areas. These spaces are home to many free-roaming birds and butterflies, enhancing the natural beauty and biodiversity of the park.

Gopalpur Zoo Map

Geography and Climate of Gopalpur Zoo

1. Geography:
The geography of Gopalpur Zoo is hilly, with predominantly shallow and sandy soil. This type of soil allows for the growth of various vegetal formations, including forest galleries, verandas, cerrado, and altitude fields. Its geographical coordinates are 31°42′ North Latitude and 76°43’48” East Longitude. The altitude varies from 1235 to 1300 meters above mean sea level (m/MSL) in the mid-hills of the northwestern region of the Himalayas.

2. Climate:
The local climate of Gopalpur Zoo is classified as subtropical, featuring distinct cold (October to February), rainy (July to September), and summer (March to June) seasons year-round. The minimum temperature drops to 5 degrees Celsius in January (winter) and it reaches a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius in June (summer). The annual rainfall in this area ranges from 1500 mm to 1800 mm.

Gopalpur Zoo photos: Tree

What Will You See at Gopalpur Zoo

Spread across a vast area of over 12.5 hectares (30.88 acres), Gopalpur Zoo is home to a variety of animals, birds, and reptiles. The zoo is well-kept, and the animals are housed in clean and hygienic environments. The enclosures are large enough to allow the animals to move around without restriction. Visitors can explore the park on foot, observing the animals in their natural surroundings without causing any disruption to them.

a.) Mammals:

One can see animals in the zoo are the majestic Asiatic lion, known as the king of the jungle, along with the elegant lioness, as well as two to three different breeds of leopards, Sambar deer, barking deer, wild boar, and the jungle cat. The lions and tigers are the main attraction of the zoo. They are kept in big areas with lots of room and plants. This makes visitors feel like they’re in a jungle.

The bears are kept in a spacious, natural enclosure filled with trees and logs for climbing. They are very active, and visitors can enjoy watching them play.

Gopalpur Zoo photos: Wild Boar

b.) Birds:

One of the special features of the zoo is its aviary containing various types of birds. Visitors can observe these birds flying freely when they enter the aviary. Some of the bird species in the zoo include Laughing Dove, Red Collard Dove, Brown fronted woodpecker, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Red Jungle Fowl, Black Bulbul, Great Tit, Indian Robin, Grey Bushchat, Indian Grey Hornbill, Black Rumped Flameback, Pied Kingfisher, Plum Headed Parakeet, Kaliz, Long Tailed Shrike, Spotted Dove, Coppersmith Barbet, Alexandrine Parakeet, Himalayan Bulbul, Oriental magpie Robin.

Another captivating sight at the zoo is the emus. These large, flightless birds are known for their striking appearance and behaviors. Visitors can watch them interact in their enclosure and may even catch a glimpse of their unique blue-green eggs, enriching the varied zoo experience.

Gopalpur Zoo photos: Black Kites

c.) Reptiles:

The reptile house is also worth visiting. It houses a variety of reptiles such as Russell’s Viper, Rat Snake, Checked Keelback, Common Trinket, etc. The enclosures for these reptiles are designed to mimic their natural habitats, allowing visitors to observe these captivating snakes up close.

d.) Botanical Garden:

Besides the animals, the Gopalpur Zoo (Dhauladhar Nature Park) also has a small botanical garden with plants and trees native to the area. Visitors can walk around the garden and enjoy the natural beauty of the plants.

Gopalpur Zoo photos: Botanical Garden

e.) Children Park:

There is also a children’s park with play equipment where children can play and enjoy themselves.

Facilities and Amenities at Gopalpur Zoo

To explore the entire Gopalpur Zoo, it will take around an hour or two. There are drinking water and toilet facilities, including urinals, shelters, lawns, zoo visitor guides, a food court, and a canteen available throughout the premises. There are also watchtowers for gazing throughout the zoo. The area is clean, and there is plenty of parking space available.

Gopalpur Zoo Timing

Gopalpur Zoo is open for visitors from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM from April to October and from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from November to March.

Gopalpur Zoo Ticket Price

Gopalpur Zoo entry ticket rates: Rs.50/- for adults and Rs.10/- for children. Parking fees range from Rs.10/- for two-wheelers and Rs.50/- for heavy vehicles. Camera charges are Rs.15/- for still cameras and Rs.25/- for video cameras.

Gopalpur Zoo Holiday

Gopalpur Zoo remains closed on every Monday.

Infographics of Gopalpur Zoo (Dhauladhar Nature Park)
Category	Small Zoo
Year of Establishment	1992
Area (Hect.)	12.50
Geographical Coordinates	• Latitude: 31° 42’ North • Longitude: 76° 43’ 48’’East
City, District, State	Gopalpur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
Address	Gopalpur Zoo, Gopalpur, P.O. Palampur, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, PIN: 176 059.
Distance from	• Nearest Airport: Gagal Airport-32 km. • Nearest Railway Station: Chamundaji-12 Kms. • Nearest Inter-City Bus Station/Terminus: Palampur-12 km. • Nearest local Bus Stop: Gopalpur-200 Meters.
Administration	Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Division Hamirpur, 177001
Weekly Closure Day	Monday
Visitors’ timings	• 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (April to October) • 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (November to March)
Entry Fee	Entry Ticket Rates
	Category	Fee
	Adults	Rs.50/-
	Children	Rs.10/-
	Parking
	Two–Wheeler	Rs.10/-
	Four-wheeler (Car)	Rs.20/-
	Heavy Vehicle (Tempo)	Rs.50/-
	Cameras
	Still Camera	Rs.15/-
	Video Camera	Rs.25/-
Visitor Facilities	• Drinking water,• Urinals,• Lawns,• Shelters,• Food court and canteen, • Zoo Visitor guides, · Wheelchair (free of cost)

Gopalpur Zoo photos: Emu & Emu’s eggs

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Gopalpur Zoo is during the autumn months when the flora and fauna are in their best condition. Try to visit in the morning hours due to the high daytime temperatures. Avoid visiting during the hot summer, as it can be too heated and the animals may be a bit lazy as they seek shade to hide themselves. Prepare for cooler days to enjoy your visit to the fullest.

How to Reach Gopalpur Zoo

Gopalpur Zoo is a beautiful place in Himachal Pradesh to visit with your loved ones, especially children. It’s located at varying distances from major cities: 470 km from Delhi, 2,017 km from Kolkata, 1,866 km from Mumbai, and 2630 km from Bengaluru. Read on for how to get there.

1. By Air:
The nearest airport is Kangra Airport located in Gaggal, Kangra District, approximately 30 km away from Gopalpur Zoo (Dhauladhar Nature Park). From the airport, one needs to cover the remaining distance of 30 km via cab or other means of public transportation like a bus, which is a 44-minute drive via Palampur – Dharamshala Road.

Gopalpur Zoo photos: Botanical Garden

2. By Rail:
The nearest railway station is the Chamunda Marg (CMMG) Railway Station, located 12 km away from the Zoo. From the Chamunda Marg (CMMG) Railway Station, one needs to cover the remaining distance by hiring a local taxi or taking a bus, which is an 18-minute drive via MDR48 and Palampur – Dharamshala Road.

3. By Road:
The nearest Inter-City Bus Station/Terminus is Palampur Bus Stand, located at Bus Station Rd, Berachah, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh 176061, which is 13.6 km away from Gopalpur Zoo (Dhauladhar Nature Park). It’s approximately a 24-minute drive via Palampur – Dharamshala Rd. The nearest local Bus Stop to the zoo is Gopalpur, just 200 meters away.

From Shimla – it’s 216 km via NH205, a 6 hrs. 5-minute drive.
From Mandi, it’s 105 km via NH154, a 3-hour 2-minute drive.
From Joginder Nagar – 50 km via Palampur-Dharamshala Road, a 1 hrs. 17-minute drive.

Where to stay?

There are many hotels and resort options in Gopalpur, Palampur, catering to a wide range of requirements with prices ranging from low to high. Choose the best hotels in Gopalpur, Palampur for an unforgettable stay.

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Gopalpur Zoo (Dhauladhar Nature Park) Location

Conclusion

Although Dhauladhar Nature Park is the official name, it is commonly known as Gopalpur Zoo. Established in 1992, the zoo covers 12.5 hectares and houses many animals, including lions, tigers, and jungle cats, as well as various bird species such as lovebirds and black kites. The park also has a botanical garden, a children’s park, and a parking area. It’s a beautiful place to visit for anyone who loves nature and wildlife. The zoo has facilities like toilets, washrooms, canteens, and places to sit. The best time to visit Gopalpur Zoo is in the morning during the autumn months when the flora and fauna are in their best condition.

FAQ

a.) What Gopalpur Zoo ticket price?
The entry ticket prices for Gopalpur Zoo are Rs.50 for adults and Rs.10 for children. Parking fees range from Rs.10 for two-wheelers to Rs.50 for heavy vehicles. Camera charges are Rs.15 for still cameras and Rs.25 for video cameras.

b.) What is Gopalpur Zoo timing?
Gopalpur Zoo timing is: April to October: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, November to March: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

c.) What is the Dharamshala to Gopalpur Zoo distance?
The distance from Dharamshala to Gopalpur Zoo is 21.6 km via Palampur – Dharamshala Rd, which is a 37-minute drive.

d.) What is Palampur to Gopalpur zoo distance?
The distance from Palampur to Gopalpur Zoo is 12.7 km via Palampur – Dharamshala Rd, which is a 22-minute drive.

History of Gopalpur Zoo

Gopalpur Zoo Map and Surroundings

Geography and Climate of Gopalpur Zoo