Lalbagh's 150 years as Govt. garden

Lalbagh's 150 years as Govt. garden
Vijay Times

Lalbagh is an important tourist destination in the City known for its flower shows and it is also a centre for conservation of plants - A fact known to most Bangaloreans, including tourists. But what is not known is Lalbagh was conferred the status of a Government Botanical Garden exactly 150 years ago.

The history of the park dates back to 1760. Lalbagh, which means a red garden, was initially developed as a private garden by Hyder Ali on an area of 40 acres and further developed by his son Tipu Sultan. Later, the British and Indian experts in the field of horticulture improved the garden by adding more plant species besides extending its area.

In 1856, with the efforts of Dr Cleghorn, chief officer of South India Forest Department, and Jeffrey, president of Agriculture and Horticulture Society, Madras, the Lalbagh was converted into a Government Botanical Garden.

Today, the garden is a 240acre lush green paradise. It has a wide variety of flora obtained from various parts of the world. With nearly 673 genera and 1,854 flora species, Lalbagh is a treasure house of plants. Of these , 60 per cent are exotic.

Lalbagh is also known for its artistic structures such as the Glass House, the Bandstand, the Kempegowda tower, the statue of Chamaraja Wodeyar, the West Gate Guard Room, the Pigeon House, the aquarium, etc. The tree fossil and the lake are other locations of interest.

Speaking to Vijay Times, horticulture director G K Vasanth Kumar said as part of the 150th anniversary, a 45minute documentary on former superintendents of Lalbagh - John Cameron, Krumbeigal, Rao Bahadur H C Javaraya and former director Dr M H Marigowda, including its history - is planned.

A souvenir will be brought out on the occasion and 150 species of both exotic and Indian trees will be planted. The Japanese garden will be renovated and the Dhanvantri garden developed on scientific lines.

Kumar said T-shirts and caps would be sold to commemorate the event, while a botanical calendar and a digital board would be installed to educate the public on maintaining cleanliness.

Those involved in developing Lalbagh will be felicitated, he added.