Patna zoo’s Nature Library: A classroom in the wild

Patna: At the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park (popularly known as Patna zoo), learning now goes beyond animal enclosures. Tucked near the nursery, a unique ‘Nature Library’ is drawing students and wildlife enthusiasts eager to explore ecology and conservation through books, workshops and hands-on activities. It supports the zoo’s broader mission of conservation education, complementing its role in breeding endangered species and serving as a premier educational resource in Bihar.

This facility is located in an open area of 600 square feet near the zoo’s nursery. Crafted from Assam’s cane bamboo, the learning centre features an eco-friendly design. It includes a reading space, gardening tools, bird-watching equipment, an LED display panel, and a workshop area.


Patna zoo itself, ranked highly by the Central Zoo Authority, acts as a living laboratory, with the library providing theoretical knowledge to match the practical observation of animals like giraffes, tigers and various birds.

Zoo director Hemant Patil said, “The library houses over 1,400 books on wildlife, conservation, botany and environmental science. About 30-40 people can comfortably read and learn in this space. Nearly 200 to 300 people visit this library on weekends and public holidays.”

He said the Nature Library is a haven for researchers, students and nature enthusiasts. “From rare botanical texts to the latest conservation research, our collection spans multiple languages and covers diverse topics. It offers easy-to-use handbooks on medicinal plants, seeds, trees and birds,” he said.

The library also organises workshops for students and nature enthusiasts to train them in pencil and wood arts, seed ball making, plant grafting and identification, gardening techniques, medicinal plants and creating bird nests. Besides, the library also features displays on historical conservation efforts, including information from the Bihar Museum, and seed treatment, he said.

An office assistant posted at the library assists students in exploring its potential. AI-based binoculars are available for bird watching, allowing users to identify species at the touch of a button. Live gardening demonstrations by experts are also held at the zoo’s nursery.

Patna University botany department head Birendra Prasad said that Patna zoo is more than just a collection of animals; it is a living classroom and a conservation centre. It acts as a living laboratory, with the Nature Library providing theoretical knowledge to match the practical observation of animals like giraffes, tigers and various birds, he said.