Allen Forest Zoo, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh India

Allen Forest Zoo in Kanpur is one of the most visited Zoological Parks of not only Uttar Pradesh but also the whole of India. This zoo cum botanical garden is a must visit destination during your tour to Kanpur. Allen Forest Zoo that is popularly called the Kanpur Zoo was opened in 1971 and ranks among one of the best zoos in the country. It is an ideal place for outdoor life and picnics amongst picturesque surroundings.

The Zoological Park in Kanpur was the brainchild of one Sir Allen after whom the zoo bears its name. Sir Allen was a member of the then Indian Civil Service. A botanist par excellence, Sir Allen had conceived an idea to open the zoo but his plans got stuck in the debris of Red-tapeism and didn't materialize. When the zoo was opened in 1971 by the government of independent India, it was decided that the zoo would be named after him.

The Zoo has a number of animals, birds and reptiles in its kitty. The notable member from the animal kingdom includes Tiger, White Asiatic Tiger, Asiatic Lions, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Bear, Grizzly, Monkeys, Languor, Baboon, Musk deer, Deer, Antelope and more. Among the birds, the prized possessions of the zoo are Emus, Ostrich, Parrots, Parakeet, Saras-Crane and various Indian as well as European fowls.

The exuberant hub of North’s India’s industries and cultural extravaganzas, Kanpur city is the recipient of several accolades. Aficionados of Kanpur not only heap praises upon the city’s historical eminence and tourist attractions, but also its diverse natural heritage manifested in the Allen Forest Zoo or Kanpur Zoo.

Established in 1971, Allen Forest Zoo was christened after an erstwhile bureaucrat of the Indian Civil Services, Sir Allen. The zoo ranks among the countries best and records a massive footfall. The Kanpur Zoo with its panoramic vistas is a much coveted picnic spot among tourists and local residents.

The zoo also houses a botanical garden that flourishes in the colorful hues of the seasonal blooms. The garden also boasts of a collection of some of the country’s rare species of plants. Replete with lush foliage, the garden is dotted with sylvan lakes that glisten like a mirage of quicksilver and enhance the beauty of the surroundings.

Allen Forest Zoo is strategically placed a mere two kilometers away from the city’s epicenter. The zoo is an oasis of idyllic green and paints a pretty picture of the saffron beams playing on the green groves. Among the city’s prized possessions the White Asiatic Tiger, Asiatic Lions, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Bear, Grizzly, Monkeys, Languor, Baboon, Musk deer, Deer, Antelope and a variegated species of birds like Emus, Ostrich, Parrots, Parakeet, Crane and various Indian as well as European fowls deserve mention.

Allen Forest zoo, also known as the Kanpur zoo, is located over a large area of natural forest. It is different from the other zoos in that you can see the animals in their natural habitat instead of the caged varieties you would see in other zoos. It is named after Sir Allen, a Botanist who originally conceived this project.

The zoo is home to a large variety of animal species including the rare musk deer, jaguars, rhinoceros, tigers, lions, monkeys, languor and cheetah. There is also an aquarium and a botanical garden consisting of several lakes and some of the plants of rare species. Animals and birds apart, the zoo is a refreshing oasis of peace and greenery, just about 2 kilometers from the city center.

The zoo is the largest in Asia in terms of forest cover and also includes a natural lake surrounded by ancient trees. It is a popular picnic and leisure destination for people of all age groups including students who visit it for recreation and education.