Senior Horticulture Department officials on Wednesday tried to allay fears expressed by several prominent personalities over the development of Cubbon Park by the proposed Cubbon Park Management Authority (CPMA).
In an informal meeting with office-bearers of Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association, officials explained the objective of the authority and also said no additional constructions would be taken up in the park , department sources said.
“We were assured that no construction would be taken up and control of the park would be with the Horticulture Department. Officials clarified that CPMA will work under the Tourism Department,” association president Umesh told reporters after the meeting with Horticulture Department Principal Secretary Bharath Lal Meena.
Officials informed that development would be modelled on Pilikula Nisargadhama in Mangalore, he said. The composition of CPMA was not revealed, but officials assured that it will have representations from all walks of life, he added.
Following the announcement of CPMA in the State budget, several personalities, including writer and Jnanpeet award winner U.R. Ananthmurthy and environmentalists, had expressed apprehension over the move to make the park a tourism destination, especially by adding infrastructure. The CPMA is expected to be formed in about two months.
‘Suggestions were invited’A senior Horticulture Department official said that suggestions would be invited from the public before the authority is set up.
