After Lalbagh, it is now the turn of the 190-acre Cubbon Park, one of the city's prized lung spaces, to be targeted for a facelift by the Horticulture Department.
Horticulture Minister Umesh Katti made this announcement while reviewing the ongoing works at this scenic 190-acre park on Saturday.
Fountain, lawns
On the cards are two maze gardens, a shade garden, a fountain and artificial waterfalls in the Rose Garden, a walking path and lawns, Mr. Umesh Katti said after reviewing the works in the park, which was laid in 1870 by the then Commissioner of Mysore, John Meade.
The shade garden will come up adjacent to Kasturba Road, the artificial waterfalls in the part that has boulders, while ornamental plants will flank the road leading to the library from Hudson Circle.
Suggestions invited
He invited public suggestions on the park's development. “We will consider the financial implications before taking it up,” he said.
On the ongoing spat between the former High Court Judge M.F. Saldanha and the Horticulture Department over the park's lotus pond, the Minister said: “I respect Mr. Saldanha but he should not consider Cubbon Park as his personal property.”
The Minister pointed out the practice of people leaving behind ducks, turkeys, fish, rabbits and other small animals near the pond, and warned the public against it. Since the pond is being cleaned up, all these creatures would be given to the Prani Daya Sangha, he added.
“People also bring leftovers, meat and vegetable waste, which is causing pollution and unhygienic conditions in the lotus pond area,” he said, and added this had led to stray dog menace.
