'Adopt-a-park' scheme soon for RWAs in Delhi

Civic authorities in Delhi are planning to allow residents’ welfare associations to “adopt” parks in their areas to ensure involvement of the community in maintaining the city’s green cover.

Civic authorities in Delhi are planning to allow residents’ welfare associations to “adopt” parks in their areas to ensure involvement of the community in maintaining the city’s green cover.

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Under the scheme, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will enter into an agreement with registered RWAs and NGOs for partnership in the upkeep of parks.

There are nearly 14,500 parks under the jurisdiction of MCD. It has been seen that the maintenance of small-sized community parks can be done in a better way with the active involvement of local people, officials said.

Keeping this in mind, a public-private partnership project (PPP) was envisaged in 2005, but due various reasons, it could not take off properly, they said.
Under the new project, the RWAs or NGOs will be given Rs 2,500 per month for every half acre of area.

The RWAs will have to employ gardeners and carry out works like planting, hedge trimming, spread of spoil and manure provided by MCD, day-to-day management and general security.

The MCD will decide which parks are to be given under the scheme. Smaller colony parks will be given priority in this regard, according to the proposed scheme.