Indroda Nature Park in Gandhinagar has rolled out an extensive heat-management programme covering more than 600 animals, deploying 15 jumbo air coolers and 20 high-pressure sprinklers as Gujarat endures sustained heatwave-like conditions this summer. The measures, active since April 2025, will remain in place until the monsoon arrives.

Cooling Infrastructure in Place

The 15 jumbo air coolers have been installed inside carnivore enclosures and the reptile house, operating during peak afternoon hours to regulate internal temperatures. The 20 high-pressure pop-up sprinklers run across open areas between 1 pm and 5 pm, generating continuous evaporative cooling.

Traditional methods complement the mechanical systems. Khus (vetiver) curtains, regularly moistened with water, convert hot incoming air into cooler airflow as it passes through enclosures. Agro-net shading structures have also been erected to limit direct sunlight exposure.

According to park management, the combined interventions have reduced temperatures inside animal habitats by approximately 2°C to 4°C compared to external conditions, effectively creating a controlled microclimate during the hottest hours of the day.

Animals Covered and Their Needs

The park houses more than 600 animals, including three lions, two tigers, three leopards, freshwater crocodiles, porcupines, a variety of reptiles, and several bird species. A free-roaming population of Hanuman langurs, nilgai, peacocks, and porcupines also inhabits the forest area.

Multiple water points have been established across the forest zone for free-roaming wildlife, with regular cleaning and refilling to ensure uninterrupted access to drinking water through the summer.

Dietary and Veterinary Adjustments

Veterinary teams have revised animal diets in line with seasonal requirements. Daily food intake for carnivores has been reduced by approximately 500 grams to 1 kilogram to prevent digestive strain during extreme heat.

Herbivores and birds are receiving water-rich fruits including watermelon, muskmelon, and cucumber to boost hydration. Their feed has been supplemented with vitamin C-based oral rehydration solutions and multi-mineral vitamin mixtures to maintain electrolyte balance and reduce heat-illness risk.

Veterinary services are available on a 24-hour basis, with continuous surveillance by zoo staff and veterinary professionals, particularly during peak-heat periods.

Oversight and Authority

The programme has been implemented under the guidance of Gujarat Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State Pravin Mali, and executed through the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation.

As summer temperatures continue to bear down on the region, park authorities say the focus remains on sustaining stable conditions for both captive and free-roaming wildlife until the onset of the monsoon provides natural relief.