December 6, 2025: Byculla’s Veermaa Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan (VJBU) is gearing up for a major expansion, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) initiating tenders to develop a new, modernised ‘exotic zone’. The project, spread across 10 acres, will introduce 18 exotic species, including the white lion, giant anteater, ring-tailed lemur, cheetah, and zebras.
Over the next three years, VJBU will construct 18 specialised enclosures at an estimated cost of Rs 4.98 crore. Each enclosure will feature three key zones — a public viewing area fitted with acrylic panels, a paddock designed to mimic the animals’ natural habitats, and a dedicated resting and feeding space. The exotic zone will be accessible from inside the zoo but will also have its own separate ticketed entry.
According to officials, construction is expected to begin by mid-January and will take around three years to complete. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has already approved the design, and the zoo is now preparing to begin the process of procuring animals for the new zone.
In a parallel development, the zoo authorities have finalised contractor Dev and DB Consortium to build a large aviary facility at Nahur Village. The project, costing ₹146 crore, will span 17,958 sq. m and is inspired by a Singapore-based aviary model. The new facility is expected to house more than 206 species of exotic, regional, and endangered birds.
The Byculla zoo currently has two aviaries for terrestrial and aquatic bird species, but the upcoming Nahur aviary will significantly expand Mumbai’s capacity to preserve and display diverse avian life. Both projects are aimed at enhancing visitor experience while strengthening conservation efforts across the city’s zoological facilities.
Source: Hindustan Times
