The city is slowly but surely becoming green once again

PARK AVENUES
The city is slowly but surely becoming green once again
Aarthi R | TNN

Bangalore: Not all is lost in the green paradise. Bangalore still has a few reasons to be called the Garden City, thanks to the increase in number of parks. While concerns of rapid urbanization and increasing tech parks add to environmental concerns, there are little patches of green which have come up to maintain the city’s ecological balance.
From just 100 parks over three zones in 2000, there are now 508 across eight zones in 2006-07. In addition to the 316 parks developed in 2007-08, the BBMP horticulture division plans to create 97 more. “Over the years, urbanization has been irreversible, but thanks to the support and interest of people along with inflow of funds, we have parks in almost every area across the city now,” says BBMP joint director (horticulture), S Aswath.
Popularly known as a walkers paradise, pensioners’ abode and curator for ecological balance, these parks occupy anywhere between half an acre to 85 acres. Following the identification of land and allocation of funds, parks take a minimum of one month to be given final shape. This includes land preparation, provision of water facilities and sprinklers, laying lawns and planting of shrubs and trees, keeping benches for people and amenities for children.
Recent records suggest an increase in the number of plants per park as well, thanks to availability of plants and trees in nurseries as well as those that can grow in the shade. Despite satisfying most residents’ needs, a few demands like fountains and libraries might be impossible due to limited water supply and the Park Preservation Act 1975 not encouraging too many concrete structures within a park.
With the budget allocating Rs 26 crore for development of parks (including civil works, landscaping and maintenance), the horticulture department also has plans for improvization of existing parks with more plants and amenities and provisions for regular maintenance. This also includes a proposal for more medicinal plants in parks. Very soon, plants like aloe vera, tulsi and Piper longum will be available for limited public use at all local parks. The BBMP has also identified nine existing parks to set up special equipment for children with disability, similar to ones introduced in Coles Park last year.
“We plan to have a database of all parks in the city with details of maintenance and facilities. This will be made available to the public by December 2008,” says S Aswath. The heartening news is that the greening process will also spread to all districts of Karnataka.
UPCOMING DEVELOPMENTS
New parks: 97 being developed across eight zones Medicinal plants like aloe vera, tulsi, Piper longum and Coleus amboinicus in parks for public use Special equipment for children with disabilities in nine existing parks. (similar to ones set up in Coles Park last year) Databank of all parks in Bangalore available online
POPULAR PARKS
JAYAMAHAL PARK — 1,436 sq metres — Small yet satisfies needs of people in the locality. Known for beautiful landscaping and art-works in plaster of Paris
M N KRISHNA RAO PARK — 69,825 sq metres — Developed for women and children, its known for large trees and natural landscaping, jogger’s track, play areas for both children and adults
COLES PARK — 27,280 sq metres — Named after a Resident of Mysore, it’s now Freedom Fighters Park. Has facilities for children with disabilities