Allen Forest Zoo

Kanpur Zoo is a 77ha zoo in Kanpur, the industrial hub of Uttar Pradesh in North India. It is the largest open green space in Kanpur. Originally a natural habitat for fauna, it is one of the few zoos in India created in a natural forest.Location and hoursThe Allen Forest Zoo is located about two kilometers from the city’s center. In earlier colonial records, it is mentioned as being close to Nawabganj, a locality in Kanpur. The zoo is an oasis of green, featuring a natural lake and ancient trees, and encompasses the largest land area of any zoological garden in Asia.The zoo is open for visitors on all days from 9 am to 4:30 pm, except on Mondays. Given its vast size, private four-wheeler vehicles are not allowed inside of the zoo. Two Electric cars are available on payment of rs.30 per person or rs. 210 for a 50 mins ride. Plastic bags are strictly banned inside of the zoo, and water is provided in coolers instead of in plastic bottles. Water, snacks and ice cream is available in plenty.HistoryThe Zoological Park in Kanpur,, was the brainchild of a botanist Sir Allen, a member of the British Indian Civil Service. Sir Allen wanted to open the zoo in a natural forest, but his plans were stuck in bureaucratic red-tape and did not materialize. When the zoo at last opened in 1971 by the government of independent India, it was named after him.Allen forest was developed during the British rule between the years 1913-1918 by George Burney Allen, a famous British industrialist of Kanpur on the banks of the river Ganges. The zoo was constructed from 1971-1973. The first animal to arrive at the zoo was an otter caught by a fisherman from the Chambal River.