Kiosks in Lalbagh likely

Kiosks in Lalbagh likely

Deccan Herald

Garden City’s most famous offing, Lalbagh, is turning hi-tech. The Mysore Horticulture Society, that partly funds Lalbagh, is planning to install kiosks, launch a website and distribute -cards to promote the ecological park, starting next month.

The kiosks will provide all kind of information - from the history of Lalbagh, to details about the flora and fauna, to the way to the toilets.

Presently, the department is planning to install two kiosks, each at a cost of Rs 1.5 lakh. One of the kiosks will be at the Mysore Horticulture Society premises near the Golden Gate and another at Farm Information Unit inside Lalbagh. While the first will be only for the benefit of the visitors, the latter is meant for agriculturists who will have access to data regarding crop cultivation, irrigation and other farming related activities.

The data will be compiled by Agro-Climatic Planning and Information Bureau which is already working with the horticulture department to increase crop production since October 2003.

A dedicated website, www.friendsoflalbagh.com, is also expected to be launched shortly. Mainly targetted at tourists, it will allow anyone from across the world to access information about the heritage park. The website is being designed by Nandi Infoline at a cost of Rs 85,000.

The e-cards will have pictures of Lalbagh and its famous flower shows, Director of Horticulture Department Vasanth Kumar said.

However, the idea behind this e-move is utility-driven rather than revenue-driven, claim horticulture department officials. “We do not expect a remarkable increase in revenue with these measures. Our visitors now pay Rs 5 as entry fee, we want to give them their money’s worth,” Mr Kumar added.