Massive Landslides and Land-Sinking Paralyze Jambu Zoo; Gates to Stay Shut for At Least a Week

Jammu, Sept 7: Heavy rains in late August have inflicted severe damage across the hilly terrain of Nagrota, leaving Jambu Zoo — Jammu's flagship eco-tourism project — temporarily paralysed. Authorities have shut the gates and announced that the zoo will remain closed for at least another week as engineers assess extensive landslides, washed-away internal paths and large zones of land-sinking across the premises.

Extent of Damage

Officials say the torrential downpour on August 25–26 triggered multiple landslides on the slopes where the zoo is located. Several internal roads and visitor paths are now blocked by debris; retaining walls have developed cracks and portions of the landscape have subsided, creating hazardous pockets that make movement inside the zoo unsafe for staff and visitors.

“The scale of damage is much greater than initially estimated,” an official from the Wildlife Department told reporters. “Large chunks of landscape have shifted and some stretches are unstable. Quick reopening is not possible until slopes and drainage issues are made safe.”

Animals Safe, Staff Working Round the Clock

Relief came with confirmation that none of the zoo’s animals were harmed. Veterinary teams and zoo staff continue 24x7 monitoring and care. A number of species were moved from mud-filled enclosures to secure holding areas; feed and medicines have been maintained despite logistical challenges caused by blocked access and persistent rain.

However, power supply to parts of the facility — including some surveillance and admin blocks — has remained disrupted since the heavy rains, complicating restoration work. Backup arrangements are reported to be in place for animal welfare needs.

Why the Damage Was So Severe

Sources point to a combination of extremely heavy rainfall and the zoo’s construction on relatively loose soil strata. Officials acknowledged that better attention to natural drainage during planning and slope stabilization — measures applied at some adjacent institutional sites — might have reduced the impact.

Engineers have emphasized the need for geotechnical interventions such as soil nailing, rock bolting and geo-synthetic coverings, along with restoration of natural drainage channels, to prevent recurrence. The Wildlife Department is consulting experts from IIT Jammu to prepare scientifically sound, long-term stabilisation plans rather than quick temporary fixes.

Restoration Work and Reopening Timeline

Assessment teams are mapping cracks, measuring soil displacement and inspecting retaining structures. Officials say temporary restoration will commence only after a sustained improvement in weather, while permanent rehabilitation and slope-stabilization designs will follow detailed expert recommendations.

“We do not want quick fixes that will fail next rains,” the department said. “Safety of animals, staff and visitors is our top priority. We will reopen only when every identified risk is addressed.” Gates are expected to remain locked for at least one more week, though the exact reopening date will depend on survey results and weather conditions.

Impact on Eco-tourism

Spread over green landscapes along the Jammu-Srinagar highway, Jambu Zoo has been promoted as a major eco-tourism attraction that showcases regional biodiversity. Its prolonged closure is therefore a setback not only to local recreation but to the larger aim of promoting Jammu's tourism potential.

Source: Based on reporting by Daily Excelsior (Read original)

Labels: Jambu Zoo, Landslides, Nagrota, Disaster Response, Wildlife Department, Jammu

Tags: #JambuZoo #Landslide #Nagrota #Jammu #DisasterManagement #DailyExcelsior

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