The Hindu 11.07.2016
DDA modifies its ‘adopt-a-park’ scheme
Will now provide ways for adopting agencies to earn revenue while maintaining parks
In a bid to provide better maintenance of its major parks in the Capital, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has modified its ‘Adopt a Park’ scheme, which will now allow voluntary organisations to maintain parks in lieu of putting up ads, kiosks and nurseries.
The DDA had first floated the scheme of adoption of parks by public trusts, corporates, PSUs and RWAs, but had put a caveat that the entire cost of maintaining these parks, which range in size from 1.5 acre to more than five acres, entirely on the organisations adopting them.
The scheme, however, has now been modified to encourage more organisations to come forward.
The DDA has now allowed the adopting agencies to adopt some practices that will enable them to earn revenue. These include putting up eco-friendly kiosks for selling packed healthy and nutritious food items, newspapers, books, florist shops, flowers and plants, setting up of plant nursery for sale of seedlings etc., apart from the right to put up advertisements on park furniture.
“The scheme is open to registered societies, public institutions, big business houses, autonomous bodies, public trusts and RWAs, who can adopt a park and take care of its maintenance. In lieu of the cost they will incur in maintaining the parks, the adopting agencies have been allowed to put up kiosks and other facilities, which will also serve as added attractions for park users,” said a senior DDA official, who didn’t wish to be named.
The rules
The DDA, however, has stipulated that the adopting agency has no rights over the park or to use the area for any other purpose.
The voluntary agency shall also prominently display that the park belongs to the DDA and it has been permitted to maintain it.
The display board has to be put up at a specified place in the main portion of the park. The agency will also have to ensure that no encroachments are made in the park.
The parks will have to be kept open to the general public and it can’t impose any kind of entry fee. The agency also can’t organise any concerts, shows or exhibitions at the park without the DDA’s approval.
Holding a wedding and other social functions will not be allowed at these parks.
The DDA has also strictly stipulated that the adopting agency can’t cut any trees or remove plants from the park, apart from any furniture already present in the parks.
Though the voluntary agency can erect or construct eco-friendly kiosks, plant nurseries for sale of plants and garden products and use park furniture for branding and publicity purposes, it can only be done with the prior permission of the DDA.
While its earlier initiative didn't find many takers, the DDA hopes that the modified rules will attract organisations to come forward and adopt a park.
Areas where parks are up for adoption include East of Kailash, Chittaranjan Park, Rohtak Road, Vasant Kunj, Janakpuri, Dwarka, Pitampura, Lawrence Road, Rohini, I.P. Extension, Mayur Vihar Phase-I, Shahdara, Todapur and Narela.
Earlier, scheme didn’t find many takers as cost of maintaining parks was put entirely on adopting agencies.
