MUMBAI: It's not just the Byculla zoo that will undergo a much-needed makeover this year. The heritage botanical garden situated in the zoo precincts will be spruced up to commemorate its 150-year milestone. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in association with the Save Rani Bagh Botanical Garden Action Committee, will carve out three innovative 'mini' gardens within the sprawling 53-acre plot that boasts a total of 80 gardens.
Work is already in progress to set up a tactile garden for the visually impaired, a medicinal garden to provide knowledge on curing various ailments, and a butterfly garden to attract butterflies.
"Work on the medicinal garden has also started, for which we have got medicinal plants such as shatavari, sabja, brahmi and lemongrass. For the butterfly garden, we have planted lantana plants to attract butterflies," said Anil Anjankar, director, Byculla Zoo.
Hutoxi Rustomfram, member of the Save Rani Bagh committee, said medicinal garden signage will be put up beside the plants, which will list information, including names of the shrubs and the ailments they cure.
The other unique concept will be a tactile garden for the visually impaired. "Shrubs with different textured leaves and flowers with different scents will be planted. Fragra-nce will be of particular importance to visitors, especially for those who are visually impaired," said Rustomfram.
Citing examples, Rustomfram said that kunti plant will have a particular fragrance, lemon tree leaves will smell of lemon and a climber called lasuni veil, will have leaves that smell of garlic.
A plot will be earmarked for a butterfly garden, where food plants for caterpillars and the nectarine plants for butt-er-flies will be planted. "This will always attract butterflies to the plants, which can be seen by visitors. Signage will be put up regarding the food plants and the corresponding butterflies they attract," said Katie Bagli, member, Save Rani Bagh committee.
Plans to release a commemorative postal stamp on the garden are also in the pipeline. Tree trails and educational awareness programmes will be conducted by the panel throughout the year. The BMC will also help the committee publish educational material for children as well as adults.
"We have taken nature trails for BMC school children and we find their response overwhelming. They are delighted to learn about the association between trees and birds, and trees and insects. All trees will be named and numbered. We are going to chalk out four nature trails. Beneath all the trees will be detailed information boards. There will be a little map of the garden, where the path of the tree trail will be denoted in different colours," said Shubhada Nikharge, member of the panel.
The gardens project is estimated to be complete in one month - by the end of May.
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