This app will help you navigate through Mumbai Zoo in Byculla

Not all who wander are lost but as you start walking the 4kmlong branched out pathways inside the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo that Venn diagram slowly transforms into a circle And as it is with almost any problem you can think of today the Zoo is saying ldquoTherersquos an app for thatrdquoThe map interface of the appThe new Mumbai Botanical Garden and Zoo app built collaboratively by the BMC NGOs NAGAR and Save Rani Baug Foundation with support from the Pirojsha Godrej Foundation has carefully mapped out the diverse trees and animal species at the 1861established green getaway in the heart of the cityA Pride of Burma tree in bloomOn a festive weekend hordes of early birds have already gathered at the gates before us to catch the proverbial worm Fortunately the home screen of the app provides some respite Unlike many new apps the interface doesnrsquot feel cramped to navigate Categorised into Trees Animal Enclosures Heritage Monuments and other amenities wersquore sure the large icons will help senior citizens and schoolgoing enthusiasts navigate the app with easeWhile the Trees section allows you to pick your favourite tree on the map and make a beeline for it we opt for a more beginnerfriendly option mdash Quick Tree Tours mdash three trails charted on the map for our convenience Our trail includes the white bottle brush tree a towering tree native to Australia that features a soft waterretaining trunkWhite bottle brush treeWe learn through the app and later from zoo biologist Dr Abhishek Satam who has joined us on our trail that there are only three of these in the premises Next on the trail is the amherstia nobilis aka Pride of Burma an exotic tropical flowering tree known for its striking red flowers Lucky for us the tree is in bloom this monthA sloth bear takes a napWhile the illustrated map works just fine in open areas connectivity issues arise in areas with thick green cover giving us short breaks from the trail Enough time for us to be distracted by the heritage monuments around usDr Abhishek Satam left explores the app with the writerWalking up to an imposing bronze statue placed at the centre of a roundabout nearby we quickly navigate to the Heritage Monuments section of the app to learn the story behind it We learn that the statue was built by English sculptor Herbert Hampton and that the roundabout was originally planned to host the famous Flora Fountain before administerial changes brought it to its current location in FortThe bandstand at the Zoo was erected in 1937You canrsquot come to a zoo and not meet its resident animals and birds We scour the map and reckon it might be a good time to meet the aquatic birds The app guides us to the enclosure step by step with amenities such as toilets cafes and free drinking water machines nearby marked clearly Unlike us the rosy pelicans sarus cranes and waterfowls at the enclosure seem quite unimpressed by these technological wonders they are enticed by another event unfolding nearby Fresh fish is being laid out by the staff for a grand lunch we leave the birds to itThe GrecoRoman bronze sculpture at the roundaboutThe last appointment on our checklist is with the sloth bear who camps opposite the Bandstand structure in the central area of the Zoo Sure enough the app guides us to the enclosure but the bear hashellip absconded Dr Satam gives us a heads up quite literally when he points to a treetop where the sloth bear has already called it a day and is napping amongst the leavesA stork at the aquatic birds enclosure inside the ZooAn electric fence around the enclosure ensures his slumber isnrsquot interrupted by the collective lsquoawwrsquos and lsquowowrsquos of the young visitors passing by We briefly consider swapping places with the bear but standing at the middle of the 4kmlong pathway now we realise we have deadlines to keep and miles to go before we sleep Available All app storesNeed to knowgtgt Take out at least two to three hours from your dayrsquos schedule if you plan to explore everything the Zoo has to offergtgt The Zoo is busiest between 12 pm to 3 pm with the popular penguin enclosure reaching peak footfall at 2 pmgtgt If you canrsquot make it to the Zoo you can still virtually explore the sections on the app Donrsquot forget to check the Fun Facts sectiongtgt Wear running or walking shoes to navigate the varying terrain at the Zoo and carry a bottle of water to stay hydratedgtgt The Zoo has recently introduced sturdy wheelchairs Reach out to an attendant at the gate to know more