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Environment

Concept parks turn a big hit

Wednesday, 21 August 2013 08:47 administrator
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Deccan Chronicle              21.08.2013

Concept parks turn a big hit

The Nakshatra Vanam Park, located near Ganesh Temple, Yapral, has one tree planted for every Raasi (Zodiac sign). Visitors come here to find out the tree for their zodiac sign. —DC
The Nakshatra Vanam Park, located near Ganesh Temple, Yapral, has one tree planted for every Raasi (Zodiac sign). Visitors come here to find out the tree for their zodiac sign. —DC

Hyderabad: The idea of concept parks, which the GHMC and HMDA have been developing of late in their respective jurisdictions, is gaining momentum with crowds from across the country flocking these spots.

The Palmetum, a specialised botanical garden situated at Asmanghad in Malakpet which features only one family of plants, is a huge hit in the city and attracts visitors from all over India.

A visitor, Naveen Preetham, said, “It is not just a garden but a new address for palms. There are 120 varieties of about 250 trees available in this horticulture garden. The garden showcases all the six subfamilies of Arecaceae family of plants. With horizontal arrays of the plants, the fragrance and beauty of nature is felt.”

Another concept park that attracts a lot of guests and tourists is the Nakshatra Vanam (forest and plants based on Zodiac signs) located in Yapral, Alwal. It is located opposite the  Ganesh temple, Yapral, and was established a couple of years ago.

“This particular park has got a unique significance as one tree has been planted after each Raasi. Every guest is curious to know which plant is for their zodiac sign,” said horticulture officer B. Sridhar Rao.

Other popualr concept- parks are  Ficus Garden near Durgam Cheruvu, Exotic Plants Garden at Teacher’s Colony and Japanese Garden at Banjara Hills.

 

AMC's tree plantation drive crawls towards target

Tuesday, 13 August 2013 12:08 administrator
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The Times of India              13.08.2013

AMC's tree plantation drive crawls towards target

AURANGABAD: Despite the civic body's claims of having planted more than 30,000 saplings in the city during the current season, sources said that most of the saplings were uprooted due to the neglect of the municipal body. Sources also said that the tree plantation drive was moving at a snail's pace and would miss its 1.5 lakh-saplings target.

However, Vijay Patil, AMC's garden superintendent, on Monday claimed the most of the civic body's plantations were intact. "The civic body is responsible for the newly planted 18,000 saplings which are quite intact," he said. But when asked to comment on the survival rate, he said the civic body was yet to take stock of its plantations. "We are now focusing on planting more trees," he said.

"In order to minimise losses, we are planting saplings in safe areas like gardens, parks and other spaces with fencings," he said. But, saplings can also be seen on many open places like footpaths and road divers without tree guards. A large number of damaged plants can also be seen near the Central bus stand, Baba Petrol pump area, etc.

Patil said that AMC had distributed more than 12,000 saplings to individuals, schools, colleges and NGOs. "We expect people to take care of planats because the civic body cannot provide protection," he said, adding that the civic body might not achieve its target but it would reach up to a level of 70,000 to 80,000 in the current season.

Patil once again stressed the fact that the civic body was yet to receive a modern 'hole digger' machine to speed up its drive. The civic body had placed the order in early June and was expecting the machines in the first week of July. It is learnt that the accounts department has not yet cleared the payment and hence the machinery has not been dispatched.

The machine has a capacity of digging 400-500 holes everyday. "It can be mounted on a tractor and operated by a person. Manually one worker can dig only 15-20 holes a day. With the help of these machines, we will be able to plant over 1,000 saplings a day," Patil added.

 

Municipal corporation houses solar dream for its buildings

Monday, 12 August 2013 11:36 administrator
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The Times of India          12.08.2013

Municipal corporation houses solar dream for its buildings

CHANDIGARH: The municipal corporation (MC) has decided to tap the sun to light up some of its buildings, taking cue from environment department of the UT administration which has installed solar energy plants at over half a dozen government buildings in the city.

The civic body plans to equip 41 community centres and five buildings of water works with solar energy, hoping to trim its power bill. "We will start the work in a phased manner. Five to six community centres of the city will be covered in the first stage. We have 41 community centres and five water works buildings which are spacious enough for solar plants. Our offices too have space for this purpose," said S S Bida, chief engineer, MC. The proposal would be listed in the agenda to be discussed in the upcoming general house meeting of the MC, Bida added.

The development assumes significance as the ministry of new and renewable energy had identified Chandigarh as one of the 60 cities to be developed as a solar city as part of the national mission of solar energy. The underlying philosophy of the concept of solar city was to ensure that Chandigarh's energy demand was met in affordable and environmental-friendly manner.

Explaining the process, an MC official said, "We have started the work to prepare the financial estimates of each project. We will tie up with the UT administration to identify the company to purchase the equipment, guidance and other information, because they have successfully installed the equipment at their buildings."

Sources in the MC's finance wing said it has already set aside money in its annual budget -2013-14 for the purpose. 

 
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