The Hindu 12.04.2010
City's first botanical garden nearing completion
S. Aishwarya
| Construction of main building will begin soon |
Photo: R. Shivaji Rao. 
Going green: Landscaping work at the Botanical garden in progress. A view of a section of the garden, as seen last month. —
CHENNAI: It is exactly two years since the Woodlands Drive-in on Cathedral Road gave way for a new green space in the city. Though it deprived the city residents of delectable cuisine and a comforting ambience, the space is already giving a glimpse of what is in store for nature lovers.
The first sign of the proposed botanical garden nearing completion are the towering bamboo trees bordering the garden. Neatly lined-up trees and aesthetically pruned plants have already come up and the construction of ponds has also been completed. Sources said the initiative would be completed by July.
The garden is said to house some of the popular exotic flora without compromising on the existing tree cover.
The city's first botanical garden will be a crowd-puller with rare plant species finding an exclusive place in it, an official of Horticulture Department said.
The land is carved up into different portions, each developing into small parks of exclusive plant varieties. If Bonsai and palm trees will be on show in some places, medicinal and aromatic herbs will take up other portions.
Construction of the main building will begin soon after the landscaping gets over, said K. Ravi, artscape engineer of the project.
A section of area that is opposite U.S. Consulate is said to be the highlight of the garden, providing space for a cascade fountain, aroma garden and butterfly garden.
Concrete seats are being constructed around existing trees and an amphitheatre is coming up alongside a ‘Wonder garden'.
By the end of summer, residents can look forward to a ‘green outing,' which will also have a children's space and food court, completing the picture.
