Contining his relentless endeavour to improve public infrastructure scenario in the State’s capital city of Guwahati, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on October 1 inaugurated a Botanical Garden, built at the area of land that once housed the Guwahati Central Jail, in Fancy Bazar.
Spanning 36 bighas, including 2.58 acres of water bodies, the botanical garden has been built at a cost of ₹59 crore in which as many as 85,000 plants belonging to more than 230 indigenous species of flora have been planted. Also, a dedicated space of around 2.08 acres has been earmarked for medicinal plants.
Addressing a gathering, Dr. Sarma said that the Botanical Garden will enhance Guwahati’s green cover and augment the mesmerising beauty of the city.
Expressing happiness over the latest addition to Guwahati’s public infrastructure, the Chief Minister said it will provide vast open space for the residents of the city.
Dr. Sarma said rather than being referred to as a “park”, it has been decided to term it as a “botanical garden” with the aim of transforming the same into a repository of indigenous and rare species of flora of the region. “Though there is a dedicated walking zone, play zone for children, among others, the primary aim has always been to develop it into a botanical garden,” the Chief Minister said, adding “It is the responsibility of all of us to see that the plants planted here are provided adequate care and support.”
Dr Sarma said that guides shall be deployed in the park so that the younger generations visiting the botanical garden are introduced to the rich flora of the region.
