Bonsai Park faces stunted growth

Bonsai Park faces stunted growth
Deccan Herald

It’s growing up pains for the Bonsai trees in Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, for it has taken them more than two years to grow and give life to the Bonsai Park.

The H R Seetharam and Ratnamma Bonsai Park, named after the parents of their donor, Mr Srinivas, was initiated in 2002 but is yet to come through as a complete park.

The delay comes a tad too long, considering that readymade bonsais were presented to Bangalore Garden Trust (BGT) on a platter.

The delay points to an apparent lack of initiative on the part of the BGT.

But there’s more that’s going against the project.

For one, a lack of consensus on conditions and terms and absence of direct talks between

BGT and the Seetharam Bonsai Trust. R

Result

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which would accord official status to the project and probably speed up its work, is yet to be signed. While Mr Srinivas says that the BGT is not pro-actively taking up the project, BGT has different views.

Horticulture Director and ex-officio Secretary of BGT G K Vasanth Kumar says, “It takes nearly two to three years for the bonsai trees to come to a shape. And only if they are in the shape of a traditional bonsai can they be displayed.”

The BGT has also been accused of not preparing an inventory of the number of trees locked up in the cage. “They have not even given a receipt to indicate the exchange of bonsai trees and the number. How can I establish the deal without a receipt?” asks Mr Srinivas.

Officials at Lalbagh, however, claim that around 700 trees were donated in 2002 and the number has now increased to more than 1000.

They say an inventory has been made, but are reluctant to give a copy to Deccan Herald.

Sources say that the shape of bonsai trees is not the actual reason for the delay, as the period of growth is specific to tree species. According to them, procedural hurdles like approval of tenders, appointment of maintenance staff and MoU terms, mainly relating to post-benefits for Mr Srinivas’ family, are the main causes.

Mr Vasanth Kumar also brushes aside reports of trees going missing from the park. “Only a couple of trees had gone missing in the early days. Now we have locked up the collection in a cage, displaying only a small number during the shows. This being the case, how can they get stolen?” he asks.

Matters have reached a stage that Mr Srinivas appears to be ready to agree with whatever terms suggested by the Trust, if only the project gets completed at the earliest.

“My life’s earnings (in the form of bonsais) have been donated. Yet, the project is taking so long to come through,” he says.

For now, the assurance is that the park would be ready by April, 2006. Sources say that hurdles for the project have more or less been tackled and that MoU is under review by the Horticulture Director.