A tree park, spread across 530 acres of land on Aloka campus of the Forest Department, on the outskirts of the city, was inaugurated here on Wednesday.
The concept is part of enhancing urban green cover and entails planting over 50,000 species of trees, which will not only provide lung space for the city, but will add to the green cover of the region.
The facilities were inaugurated by Chief Conservator of Forests B.M. Parameshwar. The department will plant at least 50 species of indigenous trees in the park.
Tree parks, as a measure to increase green cover in urban areas, were introduced a few years ago in most districts. This is the first tree park for Mysuru. There are proposals to extend it to taluk headquarters as well, and will blend amusement with nature, said Mr. Parameshwar.
While the State has a green cover of 22 per cent of the total geographical land, it is 16 per cent for Mysuru district, and includes national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
The tree park is located off the Mysuru-Hunsur road at Yelwal, and will be open to public free of cost. The authorities plan to levy a nominal entry fee later in future. There are 10 varieties of activities for children that include a cycling path and a walking path besides open playgrounds, an amphitheatre, restrooms, and drinking water facilities. Providing a panoramic view of the region with greenery all around and Chamundi Hill in the distance, the tree park will also serve as an ideal spot for bird-watching.
Meanwhile, the Aloka campus will also be used to shift the administrative office of the Forest Training cell in Mysuru.
