Katraj Snake Park - The Most Popular Snake Park in Pune

Lot many places and a lot to be explored still. And just like we have seen in our previous postings, today we have yet another addition to our list of most exciting places in Pune. This time it is about a park, a well known park which goes by the name of Katraj Snake Park.

Katraj Snake Park is located along the Pune Satara Highway near the Bharati Vidyapeeth University. The Katraj Snake Park is 8 kilometers from Pune, close to the Katraj Bus Depot. This park is a famous conservation park boasting a vast collection of snakes, reptiles, birds and turtles. Here you can find over 160 species of snakes, of various shapes and sizes and to top the list is a 6 years old, nine feet long King Cobra.

The Katraj Snake Park of Pune became functional in 1986, by the efforts of Mr. Neelam Kumar Khaire, aided by the Pune Municipal Corporation. In 1999, the Park later became a part of the Rajiv Gandhi Udyan. Being the director of the Park himself and an avid snake lover, Mr. Khaire has introduced novel techniques of communication such as providing information about snakes for the blind through braille.

The Park also houses a small library where information related to snakes can be obtained. A zoo too has been added to the park to make it more popular among tourists especially children. Well known for its pro-wildlife activities, the park also organizes many snake festivals and snake awareness programs to clarify doubts and destroy fears about this species. To promote kind behavior towards these creatures, programs are arranged during Nagpanchmi to discourage ill-treatment towards snakes.

All in all, Katrja Snake Park is a must visit spot for any snake lover. It is an ideal wildlife zone and tourist spot in Pune.