The Times of India               10.07.2013

Corporation joins hands with NGOs to develop parks in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: The city is all set to turn greener with the support of voluntary organisations. A meeting held by corporation officials with voluntary organisations to discuss development of parks on Tuesday witnessed an overwhelming response from the latter.

Corporation Mayor S M Velusamy said that the corporation has identified several places where they could build parks. In the initial phase around 66 parks will be set-up with the help of voluntary organisations. Those interested can adopt the parks which should be developed and maintained by them. In a similar manner, around 50 kilometres of roadsides will be planted with trees.

The corporation will provide water, fencing and approval letters to the caretakers of the parks. Some organisations expressed willingness to oversee some parks at the meeting. Corporation officials suggested that the parks should have walking paths, benches and walls.

Meanwhile, representatives of organisations which expressed interest in overseeing certain parks also came up with suggestions. Vanitha Mohan, the Managing Trustee of Siruthuli said that along with a few other organisations, they were willing to develop 15 parks.

R Raveendran, secretary of Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore ( RAAC) said that along with Siruthuli and Rotary clubs in the city they would plant 3,000 trees.

The people involved felt that more discussions were necessary before making final decisions. Only after discussing all aspects pertaining to the green drive in subsequent meetings, final decisions would be taken. Vanitha Mohan said, "The work would take anywhere around 3 to 5 years. We hope to raise funds through sponsorships and would provide manpower for the developments," she said.

Raveendran said that before taking up planting on roadsides the corporation would have ensure the protection of the relevant areas. "We need to make sure that no digging would take place near areas where trees are planted," he said.

McMohan from the Save Coimbatore Wetlands said that they were willing to develop an exclusive butterfly park on 2 acres of land. "This would be an exclusive park for butterflies adding to the entertainment options in the city," he said.