Hands free nature walks in Lalbagh

Hands free nature walks in Lalbagh
Deccan Herald

Visitors to Lalbagh can enjoy the nature hands free. The Horticulture Department on Monday launched a cloak chamber facility at the Double Road entrance with 32 lockers for people visiting the gardens.

More such chambers will soon be set up at the three other gates of the historical botanical garden, said Horticulture Department Director Vasanth Kumar at the inauguration of the facility. The cloak chambers have been donated by PES College and the service is free of charge.

Further, in a first-ever initiative to involve people in the maintenance and upkeep of Lalbagh Gardens, the Horticulture Department formed a committee of 30 Tree Wardens and 10 tourist guides.

“Lalbagh is not an ordinary park; it is a botanical park and a historical heritage. The Tree Wardens are old walkers, who have been coming to Lalbagh for the past so many years. They have volunteered their services to educate people, especially children, on how to use the garden and keep it clean,” said Dr Vasanth Kumar.

As a token, he gave ID cards to five tourist guides out of the 10 recently selected by the Department. “The guides will be stationed at the Double Road and the main gate entrances. They have been given a dark green colour uniform with badges,” he added.

Trained guides

The need for guides was a long felt need with the visitors. “We have trained the tourist guides on all these aspects so that they can take the tourists on a guided tour,” said Dr Vasanth Kumar.

He also listed out the varoius future projects of the Horticulture Department, on the occasion.