Ganapati immersion noise puts zoo animals under stress

As drums rolled, music blared from loudspeakers and dancing groups wound through south-east Delhi on Friday for Ganapati immersion processions, the noise travelled beyond the streets. At the National Zoological Park along Mathura Road, animals were also exposed to the festival noise, with zoo officials acknowledging that loud sounds can unsettle them.

The challenge is compounded by the absence of prescribed routes for immersion processions. While seven artificial ponds have been designated across south-east Delhi and devotees also head towards Kalindi Kunj, traffic officials said they have little control over the routes individual groups choose.