The Hindu : New Delhi News : A green Delhi for green Games

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Friday, Feb 19, 2010
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New Delhi

A green Delhi for green Games

Manisha Jha

NEW DELHI: To showcase the Capital's “green” face ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games here, the New Delhi Municipal Council is planning a slew of horticulture measures. These measures include development of a unique Commonwealth Games garden comprising saplings from each of the participating countries, a gardening training school for malis, a bougainvillea garden in Chanakyapuri and a flower park at Nehru Park.

The Commonwealth Games park which would be developed by the civic body at a cost of Rs.92.66 lakh would boast all essential components of a park such as lawns, wooded area having trees and garden features such as hedges, shrubs and flowerbeds.

In the plantation area, there would be grouping of plants based on continents in which various participating countries are located. The park would have footpaths, benches and other essential amenities for visitors and is expected to be ready by August this year. A section of the Nehru Park would also be developed into a flower park having seasonal flowering plants of winter, spring and summer seasons as well as all season flowering

Bougainvillea park

The civic agency is also planning a bougainvillea park over a five-acre area near Singapore High Commission in Chanakyapuri for which different varieties of the plant will be procured from the Bougainvillea Society and other agencies.

Delivering the budget speech on Wednesday, NDMC chairman Parimal Rai said: “Since the NDMC area consists of a substantial green cover, we are committed to its conservation and presentation in the best manner possible. For ensuring this we plan to set up a gardening school to institutionalise training of our malis and field staff in general and specific areas by experts. For the Commonwealth Games park spread across three acres, we are trying to get one sapling from various participating countries of the Games through the Organising Committee and the Ministry of External Affairs.”

“We have already launched a tree ambulance service with adequate infrastructure for conservation of trees and plants and would now be introducing a new dual purpose vehicle to wash the trees and maintain their health and longevity and also double up as a fire engine in case of emergency. In addition, our preparatory work for ensuring one million potted plants for the Games to beautify various entry points and strategic locations is also on.”

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