Creating awareness: A zoo with a difference

D. B. Sundara Ramam joined Tata Steel as a Graduate Trainee in 1990 after completing B.Sc. Engineering in Mining discipline from NIT, Rourkela.

Worked in various capacities in Coal & Iron ore mines of Raw Materials Division, Ferro Alloys Division & Principal Executive Officer (PEO) to CEO&MD, Tata Steel for the last 34 years, is currently working as Vice President – Corporate Services, Tata Steel.

Holds a First Class Mine Manager’s Competency Certificate in Coal from DGMS.

Subsequently, he has completed General Management program from XLRI, Jamshedpur, in 1999.

Besides various internal training programs conducted within India, he has also attended the following programs, abroad:

1. Tata Group Executive Leadership Development Program at UK.
2. Training program at Sustainable Mineral Institute at Brisbane, Australia.
3. Sr. Executive Management Programme at CEDEP, France
4. Global Leadership Development Programme.

Currently, he is Vice President of Mining Engineers’ Association of India (MEAI).

He has published a number of papers on topics related to Sustainable Mining and Innovation.

Currently he is serving as the Director in the Governing Boards of Tata Steel Mineral Canada Limited – Canada , Minas De Benga (Mauritius) Ltd, and Tata Steel Global Procurement Ltd – Singapore.

Sourav Roy, the Chief of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Tata Steel, plays a pivotal role in Tata Steel Zoological Society as vice-president. He leads the Tata Steel Foundation. This foundation is deeply committed to societal development, directly impacting over 1.5 million lives across 4,500 gram –  panchayats in Jharkhand and Odisha each year. Their impact programs are certified as replicable change models, focusing on themes such as Education, Public Health, Tribal Identity, Livelihoods, Agriculture, Water, and Disability. 

Mr. Sourav Roy’s leadership emphasizes strong social capital and impactful implementation, ensuring that those who are often left behind receive the necessary support. His contributions extend beyond the corporate realm, fostering positive change and effective leadership within communities.

He is looking after the TSZS as a Honorary Secretary who runs the Tata Steel Zoological Park for last few years. 

Capt. Amitabh is an alumnus of Officers Training Academy, Chennai. During his stint with Indian Armed Forces, he participated in OP- RAKSHAK, OP- VIJAY,   OP- MEGHDOOT and OP – PARAKRAM. 

Presently, he is leading the skill development function of Tata Steel (CSR). He has led the establishment of multiple skill training centres, viz- Vocational training centres, Industrial Training Institutes and Diploma College, which are considered as Model training centres in terms of infrastructure, training quality and placements. 

Vinay Sharma, a seasoned professional with a decade-long tenure at Tata Steel, brings a wealth of expertise as the Treasurer of Tata Zoo. Holding dual qualifications as a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary, Vinay currently serves in the esteemed Costing department. His dedication to financial stewardship make him an invaluable asset to the Tata Zoo team.”

Shuvra holds 17 years of industry experience as Communications/ Public Relations professional. She has worked at Communications for the Manufacturing, Social Development, Climate Action, Literary and Corporate spaces, and is adapt at Strategic Branding, multi-dimensional Content, Digital, Internal and External Communications. 

He work as a member from legal department in the litigation vertical dealing case on co. houses factory Act cases and other criminal cases filed by/ against company at Jamshedpur

Dr. Manik Palit, at present is acting as Dy. Director and Officer In-charge of the zoo since November 2023. He serving here since May, 1994; initially joined as veterinary officer and then promoted to Dy. Director Veterinary. During November 2005, when Mr. M.S. Jain ( Ex Director), left the zoo service after superannuation, Dr. Palit was assigned to run & look after the zoo addition to the existing responsibilities of animal health care which lasted to next 8 month period. The period was challenging too as that point time there was neither Curator nor Biologist posted in the zoo.

He has more than twenty-five years of experience in the field of in-situ and ex-situ management and conservation. He has master degree in wildlife management at Aligarh and doctorate degree on sloth bear ecology and management from one of the leading institutes of South East Asia i.e Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. He has worked with various organisations of the national and international repute. He worked with the CZA Authority, New Delhi for more than 5 years. He worked with Riyadh Zoo in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for more than 2 years as Assistant Director including a small stint at Dubai zoo in UAE. He served as Park Manager in Sundarvan Nature Discovery Centre (Mini Zoo for reptile), Ahmedabad which is promoted by the Centre for Environment Education. In the same Organisation he also held other responsibilities such as leading the community education & awareness program on solid waste management. 

He is a office supervisor at zoo. He feels proud for being a part of TSZP for past 30 years, starting a career as a Office assistant in 1994 till achieving a position of officer supervisor was a great journey for him. He is a store and security in-charge as well. He supervises & coordinate the daily activities for operations of the office. He has received various training from CZA such as Zoo Keeper Training at Nandankanan Zoological , Bhubaneswar. Some of his great achievements are Director Award for the record-breaking ticket sale. He feels privileged by being a part of Tata zoo and fosters for a great success of the zoo by continuing his dedicated efforts.

Shyam Ranjan Mahato is a dedicated Senior office assistant at Tata Steel Zoological Park. His passion for wildlife conservation and welfare has led him to continue 32 years of journey in TSZP. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of administration tasks, managing office operations, providing administrative support to various departments, and assisting in the coordination of activities. He has been given zoo keeper training at Kanpur zoo. Some of his achievements are President award, Secretary award, Director award.

Kartic Gorai is serving for 29 years as a Senior office assistant at Tata Steel Zoological Park. He started his career as a gardener then as a office boy and is currently a Sr. Office Assistant at the zoo. He is responsible for managing all office operations & requirements and providing general assistance for the zoo. He has received various training from CZA under Kanpur and Lucknow Zoo. Some of his achievements are Director award, Secretary award, All rounder award, Long Service award. He feels that zoo is a great medium to do a social cause. He thinks Tata zoo is doing a great work by conserving the animals and educating children through conducting educational programs at the zoo.

Gyani Devi has been associated with Tata Steel Zoological Park for the past 27 years. Her works involves timely feeding of the zoo animals. She takes great care of every animal in the zoo. She ensures that each animals are given the prescribed food in specified quantity at a right time. She resembles every animal as her child and loves to feed them. All animals in the zoo are her favorite and equal.

Rajesh Pal has been associated as a driver from 2016 with the Tata Steel Zoological Park. With background in safe driving practices and a strong commitment to service, he plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of transportation services within the zoo. He is fond of tiger in the zoo.

Dr. Nitish is serving the zoo since October, 2024. He is graduated from College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Ranchi in January, 2024. He had worked as an intern in Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ranchi. He have a good experience in handling of variety of cases, Diagnosis & surgeries. He have also expanded his expertise in Advance diagnosis, treatments, surgery, Radiology & Ultrasonography. He also got some practical experience of hand rearing of Mandrill monkey baby, Sloth bear cub, Pheasant chicks. He also had a role in treatment of lion, tiger, leopard, emu, elephant, etc. His prime role in TSPZ is to assist veterinary department in health care, feeding & nutrition activities of zoo animals. He shall also play a role in assisting in animal handling & their transportation within zoo& also in between zoo’s in the country.

He is a compassionate and dedicated Veterinary Assistant working at the Tata Steel Zoological Park. With a passion for animal welfare and a background in veterinary medicine, Sushen Mahato plays a crucial role in providing care and support to the diverse range of animals within the zoo. His key responsibilities are to assist the zoo veterinarian during medical procedures and examinations, monitoring the health and behavior of animals, and reporting any abnormalities or concerns; administering medications and treatments; providing support during emergency situations, including animal rescues and evacuations. ensuring cleanliness and hygiene standards in animal enclosures and medical facilities.

He was a Ph. D scholar and worked for in-situ and ex-situ conservation. He has keen interest in wildlife (large mammals) and nature. He has been serving Tata Steel Zoological Society, Jamshedpur as a Curator since 2006. Curator looks after day-to-day management of captive wild animals, maintenance of their enclosures, enrichment enclosures, feeding, disinfection, animal exchange & transportation. Compiling and updating of quarterly & annual animal inventory and implementation of Seasonal management plan. For smooth discharge of responsibilities, Curator is assisted by two field Supervisors; a battery of animal Keepers, Field assistant/Field associates and animal attendants. 

He helped in set up a Butterfly Park in 2007 at TSZP which had become one of the most popular exhibits of Zoo.

He is currently a field supervisor and takes care for Grey Parrot, Macaque, Mandrill, Monkey & Birds. He takes care for their day to day operations and breeding activities. He has received various training from Kanpur zoo, Bilaspur Zoo & Bokaro Zoo. Some of his lifetime achievements are Secretary award, President award, Director award and Long service award.

Tarkeshwar Ram has 32 years of work experience and he is currently a field supervisor at Tata Steel Zoological Park. He also feed animals, and monitor the animals eating pattern at the zoo. His other duties are  to keep the animals enclosures clean, monitor their behaviour, and watch for signs of illness or injury. He mainly looks after the carnivores animals like lion, tiger, leopard, crocodile. He has undergone training at Alipore zoo, Kolkata .

Limsa Harpal has 32 years of work experience and he is currently a keeper at the hospital of the Tata Steel Zoological Park. He is a dedicated and passionate zookeeper with a profound love for animals and a commitment to their welfare. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team at Tata Steel Zoological Park. His skills are to feed animals, and monitor the animals eating pattern at the zoo. He also cleans the animals’ enclosures, monitor their behaviour, and watch for signs of illness or injury. He has received training at Bhubaneswar (Nandankanan zoo) and Assam zoo.

She holds 12 years of experience as Biologist cum Education Officer at Tata Steel Zoological Society. She has organized various educational programmes for raising public awareness for animal’s welfare and Wildlife conservation. She is empaneled as a resource person for Indian Zoo Keeper Training Programme organize by CZA, New Delhi and has also designed various educational activities like “Keeper talk” and “Keeper for a Day” & Residential Nature Camp for girl child. Under her guidance education section of zoo has started various educational activities like Three Days Residential Nature Camp for Girls, “Touch and Learn”.

Pratap Singh Gill has 30 years of working experience as a Senior officer Assistant in Tata Steel Zoological Park. His work involves record maintenance, conduction of education program such as catch & hear, keeper talk, keeper for a day, visitor awareness program, rural area awareness program like touch & learn, cleanliness program, conduction of educational activities and maintenance of museum & library. He has received various achievements for his work like Secretary award in the year 2009 & 2010. Longest Service award, Excellence award in 2013-14, Security award of 10 years and Silver coin award. He feels a great emotional connection with educating children through education program and put his dedicated efforts for the betterment of Park.

Lalan Kumar has 32 years of work experience and he is currently a keeper at Tata Steel Zoological Park. He is proficient in providing daily care, animal behavior observation, exhibit maintenance, and enrichment activities to ensure the physical and mental well-being of zoo inhabitants. He mainly looks after the herbivores animals like zebra & Hanuman langur. He has undergone training at Kanpur Zoo, Guwahati Zoo & Patna Zoo. Taking care of animals provide him happiness.

Dinesh Mahato has 32 years of work experience and he is currently associated as a animal keeper at Tata Steel Zoological Park. His work involves animal feeding, monitoring animals’ behaviour and their feeding pattern at the zoo, enclosures cleanliness, and watch for signs of illness or injury. He mainly looks after the various species of monkeys present in the zoo. He has undergone training in zoos at Kanpur in 2004, Bhopal in 2007, Lucknow in 2010, Bhubaneshwar Zoo in 2022. He received awards such as Director award, Secretary award, Long service award.

Surendra Kumar Singh has 30 years of work experience and he is currently a keeper at Tata Steel Zoological Park. His work involves feeding of animals, monitoring the animals feeding pattern at the zoo., cleanliness of animal enclosures, monitoring their behaviour, and watch for signs of illness or injury. He has undergone training at Lucknow Zoo, Kanpur zoo and Patna zoo.

Sulendra Das has 32 years of work experience and he is currently a keeper at Tata Steel Zoological Park. He deeply passionate about wildlife conservation and is dedicated to the well-being and welfare of the animals under his care. He is responsible for feeding of animals, monitoring the animals feeding pattern, monitor animals behaviour, and watch for signs of illness or injury. He mainly looks after the herbivores animals like lion, bear, deer. He has received training at zoos in Kanpur, Patna and Bhubaneshwar.

Vijay Mukhi has 32 years of work experience and he is currently a animal keeper at Tata Steel Zoological Park. He provides exceptional care for emu, tiger, leopard ensuring their right feeding, physical and psychological well being in captivity.

Binod Sharma has 30 years of work experience and he is currently a keeper at Tata Steel Zoological Park. He responsibilities are daily care & feeding of animals, and monitors the animals eating pattern, monitor animal behaviour and health, maintain clean and hygienic living environments for animals. He has undergone training at Rakhi zoo and Godha Manjhi zoo. He feels an emotional connection while feeding the animals and taking care of them.

She is associated with Tata Steel Zoological Park from 2006. She has a great passion for wildlife conservation. She is fond of all the animals in the zoo. She presently looks after the butterfly exhibit of the zoo which includes day to day operation involves garden maintenance.

Mr Raj Kishor Harpal has been associated for 15 years with the Tata Steel Zoological Park. He ensures proper cleaning of animal enclosure and takes care of carnivore and herbivore animals. He feeds crocodile and gharial according to schedules and instructions. He is looking after to work with different varieties of animals in the zoo. Some of the training he has got at Patna zoo. He has also received a best keeper award at the Patna zoo.

Manoj  Nag role is associated with Tata Steel Zoological Park for last 15 years. His     work    involves welfare of emu birds and tiger. He looks after feeding of animals, monitoring of animals behaviour, field treatment of zoo animals. He has received training from Nandankanan zoo.

He is associated for 12 years as an animal attendant with Tata Steel  Zoological Park. His key responsibilities involve daily care and maintenance of assigned animal exhibits, working closely with zookeepers and veterinarians to provide highest standards of animal husbandry of Green and Grey Parrot. All animals in the zoo are his favourite.

He is associated as an animal attendant in the Tata Steel Zoological Park. He plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and welfare of the Black Buck, Hog Deer, Peacock within the zoo. He closely works with zoo keepers and veterinarians to maintain high standards of care, cleanliness, and enrichment of Blackbuck, Peafowl, Hog deer.

Dubraj Mandi is a dedicated and compassionate animal attendant with a passion for wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Experienced in providing exceptional care for a diverse range of Parrot and Monkeys in zoo. Proficient in daily husbandry tasks, habitat maintenance, and feeding activities to ensure the well-being and enrichment of zoo animals. Committed to upholding the highest standards of animal care and contributing to the educational mission of Tata Steel Zoological Park.

Snehashish Dey has a profound passion for wildlife conservation animal care at the Tata Steel Zoological Park. With a degree in I.T.I and hands-on experience in animal husbandry, he is committed to ensuring the welfare and habitat management of the zoo’s inhabitants. His key responsibility involves feeding and watering tiger and beer.

R.Srinivasan is associated for 32 years with the Tata Steel Zoological Park. He has started his career as a field supervisor and is currently promoted to Sr. field supervisor. His work involves saving and treatment of sick wild animals, catching of animals like lion, tiger, leopard. Presently, he is taking care of a cub of a sloth bear. He has successfully handled a lot of serious treatment challenges with carnivore’s animals. Some of his achievements are MD award for being All Rounder. He has undergone training under Nandankanan zoo, Hyderabad zoo, Vishakhapatnam zoo, Bangalore zoo, Mysore zoo, Chennai zoo.

He is associated for One and half years as a supervisor with Tata Steel Zoological Park. As a supervisor, he play a role in ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the zoo’s facilities, including maintenance and repair activities of civil structures within the zoo premises, supervises construction projects and garden maintenance. He feels proud by joining the TSZP and thinks that it provides a great opportunity to do welfare of wildlife while ensuring the smooth operation and maintenance at the zoo.

Mr. Biswajeet Mazumdar is a dedicated, obedient and compassionate animal attendant joined Tata Zoo on 01.11.24. He has been deployed to assist animal keeper/ Supervisor for a variety of animal’s facilities such as Blackbuck, Plain Zebra, Stripped Hyena & Leopard in zoo. He had gained a small exposure for caring the animals admitted in veterinary hospital, also orphan & rejected new born. He deliver his job with absolute cleanliness and caring attitude.