Bengaluru: In a pioneering initiative, Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) is set to become India’s first fully solar-powered zoo, running entirely on renewable energy generated within the park. A 1 MW captive solar plant has been established to meet the park’s power requirements, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to inaugurate it in the coming days.
Zoo expansion and green transition
BBP, part of the Bannerghatta National Park, spans 731.8 hectares and includes facilities such as an animal rescue centre, butterfly park, safari zone, and the zoo itself. The current zoo covers 12 hectares but is being expanded by an additional 28 hectares with new enclosures to accommodate animals, including some imported from overseas.
At present, the zoo houses 1,941 mammals, reptiles, and birds across 94 species. The park has also set a long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality in a phased manner. In recent years, initiatives like battery-operated safari vehicles were introduced, and the move to run the entire zoo on solar energy marks a significant milestone in its sustainable development journey.
Solar power benefits and operations
Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre highlighted the government’s commitment to sustainable conservation. “We have decided to set up a 1-MW captive solar power plant at BBP keeping the park’s energy requirements in mind. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate it next week,” he said.
The plant, established with assistance from the ICICI Foundation, is located on the periphery of the zoo enclosure. A senior official from the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) stated, “The zoo currently consumes around 500 to 600 kW per month. With the 1 MW captive plant, we will not only meet our requirements but also generate surplus energy. This provides twin benefits — ensuring clean, eco-friendly power for the zoo while feeding excess electricity back into the grid through net metering.”
The solar energy will be used across all zoo operations, including lighting, vehicle charging, water pumping, kitchen utilities, clinical services, and the administrative block.
Setting a benchmark for Indian zoos
While Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo) in Chennai operates a 180 kW solar plant, which caters to around 80% of its energy needs, BBP’s initiative is unique due to its larger capacity and its ambition to run the entire zoo entirely on solar power. Officials say this move positions BBP as a national benchmark in sustainable conservation and clean energy adoption for zoological parks.
The initiative also reflects Karnataka’s growing focus on green infrastructure and renewable energy, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints and promote environmental responsibility in public institutions