Nagpur: ‘The Satpuda Botanical Garden located in Seminary Hills area near Futala Lake is a centre of attraction for thousands of people. The garden has many rare plants. It is a useful place for those studying biology, zoology and environmental science.”Anyone reading this information on the district administration’s website and going to see the garden will be disappointed, because this garden has been closed for the past five years. Ambazari garden is in the same situation.The Botanical Garden is known as an important place in the city with information about various plants available. It was a favourite spot for tourists due to the presence of many birds in the pleasant atmosphere of Satpuda Garden and surrounding areas. Satpuda Garden is owned by the Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University. Five years ago, the agricultural college gave it to Manish Mahadiya’s firm Satyagita to operate for 10 years. Out of the garden’s 58 acres, 26 acres have been given to the contractor.Development work is underway in this garden, and it will take another 3 months for the garden to open, said Prakash Kadu, associate dean of agricultural college. Kadu also said there are plans to start lawns, amphitheatre, and various games. Various materials in the garden have deteriorated. The garden has received Rs1 crore funding from the district planning committee for maintenance, said Kadu, of which Rs50 lakh have been spent.Amid all the big plans to develop the Botanical Garden on a large scale, environment lovers have expressed ire at its neglect. A blueprint was drawn up to develop a national-level garden, with a Rose Garden, Butterfly Garden, Herbal Park etc were to be developed along with various species that are becoming extinct. Some 600 saplings were also purchased. However, the saplings are lying as they were. Similarly, some 120 types of lotus, chrysanthemums and nivdung saplings had also been purchased. Environment lovers have expressed regret that this place, important for students knowledge, is neglected today.The city has many small gardens that are open, but the Botanical and Ambazari gardens are closed. Environmental researcher Dilip Chinchmalatpure said, “Where should Nagpurians and tourists go if they want to visit a garden.” Environment activist Baba Deshpande demanded that the gardens, which are the city’s pride, should be reopened immediately.Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had given Ambazari Garden to Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to operate. MTDC gave this garden to an agency for development. With the garden closed now for years, anger is growing among citizens.A proposal has been sent to MTDC headquarters that this garden be given back to NMC, which is ready to accept responsibility for its maintenance. However, deputy commissioner Ganesh Rathod said they have not received a response from MTDC yet.
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