The Times of India 25.05.2010
Ahmedabad to get its first oxygen park in Bapunagar
AHMEDABAD: Clogged city lungs are all set to get some fresh air. The proposed oxygen park project expected to begin in a month's time will come up in Bapunagar spread over an area of 16,000 sq m. On the proposed green plan, municipal commissioner IP Gautam, said, "We have planned an oxygen park in the city and also unique green zones along the Sabarmati riverfront."
"This year, AMC is going to take a quantum jump in adding green spaces to the city," he said. Civic body is also getting innovative in its green plans. Authorities are focusing more on theme-based parks and gardens.
On oxygen park, deputy municipal commissioner and in-charge of park & gardens, SK Langa said, "Eighty per cent of planted trees will be indigenous ones like neem and peepal, while the rest will be flowering shrubs in the park area. The trees will be selected on the basis of their local climatic adaptability, soil conditions and water absorption capacity. Those which can release high amount of oxygen will be preferred."
AMC has planned six new parks in the city. Apart from the one in Bapunagar, others will be coming up in Ranip, Vasna Barrage, Isanpur, Khodiyarnagar and Odhav. The rising mercury levels in the city has Amdavadis making a beeline for parks and gardens but city has only 0.37 sq m area of open space per person, far below of the specified standard of 8-10 sq m per person as per Urban Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (UDPFI) guidelines.
Recently, AMC came up with the first joggers' park near Ishwar Bhuvan in Navrangpura spread over an area of 8,113 sq m. The park has a specially-designed 720-metre-long track, waterproof music system and amphitheatre for yoga activities. Another joggers' park is planned in Ranip.
Due to the rapid urbanisation, the green spaces within city limits are fast shrinking. The open spaces in Ahmedabad are of five types open land, garden, playground, green belts and recreational areas. According to city development plan, 2006-2012, a total of 129 hectares are open spaces in the entire city.
"This year, AMC is going to take a quantum jump in adding green spaces to the city," he said. Civic body is also getting innovative in its green plans. Authorities are focusing more on theme-based parks and gardens.
On oxygen park, deputy municipal commissioner and in-charge of park & gardens, SK Langa said, "Eighty per cent of planted trees will be indigenous ones like neem and peepal, while the rest will be flowering shrubs in the park area. The trees will be selected on the basis of their local climatic adaptability, soil conditions and water absorption capacity. Those which can release high amount of oxygen will be preferred."
AMC has planned six new parks in the city. Apart from the one in Bapunagar, others will be coming up in Ranip, Vasna Barrage, Isanpur, Khodiyarnagar and Odhav. The rising mercury levels in the city has Amdavadis making a beeline for parks and gardens but city has only 0.37 sq m area of open space per person, far below of the specified standard of 8-10 sq m per person as per Urban Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (UDPFI) guidelines.
Recently, AMC came up with the first joggers' park near Ishwar Bhuvan in Navrangpura spread over an area of 8,113 sq m. The park has a specially-designed 720-metre-long track, waterproof music system and amphitheatre for yoga activities. Another joggers' park is planned in Ranip.
Due to the rapid urbanisation, the green spaces within city limits are fast shrinking. The open spaces in Ahmedabad are of five types open land, garden, playground, green belts and recreational areas. According to city development plan, 2006-2012, a total of 129 hectares are open spaces in the entire city.
