The National Zoological Park (NZP) was set up in 1959 under this Ministry. The main objective of the Park is to complement and strengthen the national efforts in conservation of the rich biodiversity of the country, particularly the wild fauna. To achieve this objective protocol is adopted which includes:
supporting the conservation of endangered species by attempting their coordinated breeding under ex-situ conditions and raise stocks for rehabilitating them in wild as and when it is appropriate and desirable; to inspire amongst zoo visitors empathy for wild animals, an understanding and awareness about the
need for conservation of natural resources and maintaining ecological balance; and providing opportunities for scientific studies useful for conservation in general and creation of a database for sharing between the agencies involved in in-situ and ex-situ conservation.
