The entertainment-starved people of the district could relax and enjoy their evenings as the much-awaited Genetic Heritage Garden developed with beautiful landscaping at Achadipirambu on the East Coast Road (ECR) near here was thrown open to the public.
The ecological garden, developed by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Agency on a 10-acre site at a cost of Rs. 7.28 crore, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa through videoconferencing on Wednesday.
The garden, showcasing the geographical divisions of the State, has been developed with eye-catching thematic elements.
The agency had developed the garden, representing ‘Paalai’ (parched wasteland and desert), one of the five landscapes defined in ancient Sangam literature.
Developed with beautiful landscaping, the garden promised to provide an ideal space for the people to relax. Though the garden has to reflect the Paalai landscape concept, the agency has added more greenery to attract visitors, officials said.
The park is expected to be one among the major tourist attractions in the district as the authorities have decided to allow film and television serial shootings there.
The entry fee would be Rs. 15 for adults, Rs. 10 for children and Rs. 2 for schoolchildren, the officials said. Parking fee would be Rs. 15 for two-wheelers, Rs. 40 for Light Motor Vehicles, Rs. 10 for autorickshaws, Rs. 75 for vans and Rs. 100 for buses, they said.
Public could use still cameras and video cameras inside the garden after paying Rs. 25 and Rs. 50 respectively, they said, adding professional photographers could take pictures for the visitors after paying Rs. 2,000 per month.
For film shooting the rate has been fixed at Rs. 20,000 per day and for TV serials Rs. 10,000 per day, the officials said.
The park has a long pathway for visitors to go around. While walking around, they could take rest in aesthetically designed thatched-roof Gazebo huts.
The oasis, sand dunes and desert plants like cactus would provide an ideal backdrop. Shady and flowering trees and ornamental plants are added attractions. “We will soon start food courts and make available play materials for children,” the officials added.
