By Ashish Kurl
Bhopal: Nestled in the heart of the state capital, Van Vihar National Park remains one of Bhopal’s most cherished tourist attractions, offering a rare blend of rich biodiversity and urban accessibility. Spread across a vast green expanse, the park allows visitors to observe wildlife in near-natural surroundings, making it a unique conservation and recreation space. Almost all major species of animals found in the region can be seen here, drawing nature lovers, students and tourists throughout the year.
However, during a recent visit by this Correspondent, concerns emerged over the management of enclosures housing cold-blooded animals such as snakes, tortoises and iguanas. With winter setting in, these reptiles and reptiles-like species, which depend heavily on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature, were found to be living in conditions that lacked essential environmental controls.
Experts note that cold-blooded animals eat very little during winter unless provided with appropriate warmth, light and humidity in captivity. Certain tortoise species from temperate regions can hibernate naturally, but tropical species, including the Indian Star Tortoise, are highly sensitive to cold and require consistently warm conditions to survive. Similarly, iguanas need a carefully maintained temperature gradient, adequate ultraviolet lighting and high humidity to remain healthy during colder months.
The enclosures visited were found to be lacking basic instruments such as thermostatically controlled heating systems, UVB lighting, digital thermometers and humidity monitors. The absence of these facilities can cause stress, weakened immunity and long-term health complications in reptiles, conservationist Dr BP Yadav warn.
When contacted, Field Director Vijay Kumar acknowledged the issue and said corrective measures were already underway. He stated that construction of new enclosures was in progress and assured that once the work was completed, proper thermostat-controlled heating systems and other required facilities would be installed.
Van Vihar authorities maintain that animal welfare remains a priority and that the upgrades will significantly improve living conditions for cold-blooded species during winter, aligning the park with modern zoo management and conservation standards.
