Alley of Joy

Imagine having an entire market dedicated to pets!

Kolkata, the City of Joy, dawns every Sunday with a happy hustle, and cheerful sound at Ghosh Bagan, Baghbazar. Galiff street pet market is a pet lover’s paradise. Located in north Kolkata at stone’s throw distance from the Shyambazar 5 point crossing off B T Road. Originally developed at Hatibagan in North Kolkata the market was shifted to Galiff Street due to space constraints. This is the oldest pet market of west bengal and one of the oldest in India. The “Haat” (weekly Bazaar) takes place on Sundays. The market starts by 4 am and continues till later afternoon. Even traffic is closed to Galiff Steet (except the Trams) on Sundays to help Hobbyists.

The market was established in the late 90s, and since then, holds the pet market every Sunday from early in the morning to the late afternoon. Which is why this market is also is known as Galiff Street, as it literally translates to the “alley of joy”. In the market there are pets of various kinds- dogs, birds, rabbits and guinea pigs, fishes and even various types of plants are sold here. The market has a separate zone for plants, known as the Galiff street plant market, where one can get all the beautiful plants, from edible plants to ornamental ones.

Ornamental fishes are currently the most popular among hobbyists. All around the world, ornamental fishes are called living jewels due to their colours, pattern & natural beauty. Ornamental fishes usually mean attractive colourful fishes of various characteristics, which are kept as pets in homes, or in other confined spaces like an aquarium or a garden pool for fun and fancy. Ornamental fishes are usually kept in glass aquarium and hence popularly known as aquarium fishes. After photography, ornamental fishing is considered the most common outdoor leisure activity.

The other section of the market is about the availability of seeds and other gardening accessories can also be bought along with it. At least 82 businessmen (among the total 125) are exclusively involved with the trade of 139 exotic ornamental fishes. Gold fish dominates about 50% of the market sales followed by Angel Fish, Molly, Tetra, Guppy, Barbs and Catfishes. High value exotic ornamental fishes like Arowana Discus, Flower Horn, Elephant Nose, Black Ghost Knife fish and others are also making their marks in hobbyist’s preferences. From among all the varieties of pets, the market for ornamental fishes occupied the most in the market.

The market holds a great uniqueness for entrepreneurship development through ornamental fish farming is gaining popularity day- by day. Therefore, more people are entering into this remunerative market. The livelihood of a lot of people is dependent on this market. Many people from different parts of West Bengal, they come early in the morning to set their market and whole day they stay there and sell their products.

The pet business owners from Kolkata as well as from the neighbouring states all gather here. Galiff Street market has given a source of livelihood and also has its own uniqueness, where from all around the world, tourist come and visit the market. In spite of all its limitations, the Galiff Street Pet market is continuing a history. Being the oldest pet market of Kolkata, this place is a one-stop solution for the pet lovers and very rightly called the “pet lover’s paradise”. If anyone visits Kolkata, then they must surely take some time on a Sunday and visit this “Shoker Bazar” (hobby market) or Galiff Street Pet Market.

Shrestha Bhattacharjee

JSW Foundation Fellow