Udhagamandalam: Having been established about 160 years ago as a vegetable garden by the European residents of this hill station for producing English vegetables and subsequently being converted into a botanical garden for promoting horticulture in the Nilgiris, the Government Botanical Garden has over the decades played a stellar role in spreading the fame of Ooty as a scenic spot far and wide.

While most of the attributes which have led it to be acclaimed as a botanists' paradise and one of the best laid gardens in Asia have more or less remained intact over the years, upgrading basic amenities and infrastructure has not been commensurate with the increase in the number of tourists visiting here.

Enquiries made by The Hindu revealed that the number of visitors that was about 16.81 lakhs in 2001 had gone up to 17.25 lakhs in 2005. In between in 2003 it had even shot up to 18.34 lakhs. The revenue from gate collections, which was about Rs. 1.36 crore in 2001-2002, had crossed Rs. 2.26 crore during the fiscal 2005-2006. During the summer season the average number of tourists visiting the garden on weekdays was about 15,000 and on Saturdays and Sundays around 20,000.

When contacted the Assistant Director of Horticulture, M. Murugan, said the department of horticulture had for long felt the need to upgrade the facilities inside the garden. In tune with this, permission had been sought from the government to take up various works estimated to cost Rs. 1.45 crore. If the proposal was approved the footpaths that had been laid many years ago in the lower garden area would be replaced and footpaths provided in the top garden area. Since unauthorised entry was a major problem in the garden, which extended over about 55 acres a compound would be erected. The ponds that were among the most attractive features of the garden would be protected and irrigation facilities improved to ensure a steady supply of water to the plant multiplication centres, green houses and nurseries. While the old water cascades would be given a facelift the Japanese garden would be given a new look.

Mr. Murugan added that in view of the unique features of the botanical garden it was the hope of the people here that it should be recognised as a World Heritage Site.

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