Residents turn vacant plots into herbal parks

Residents of South City-1 have finally found their green oasis amid a concrete jungle.

Residents of South City-1 have finally found their green oasis amid a concrete jungle.

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Setting an example, the green brigade of the colony turned vacant, unused plots into lush green herbal parks with several varieties of medicinal plants.

The residents’ welfare association (RWA), with the help of the horticulture department, developed two herbal parks in the area and is maintaining them.

The idea was the brainchild of South City resident Donald Rodrigues, a nature lover.

One can find species of belpatra, amla, tulsi, ashwagandha, ashok, peepal, neem, lavender and several others that have been procured from The Energy Research Institute (Teri).

“Teri has a medicinal nursery of plants. As the site was lying unused, we decided to convert it into a park. It is unfortunate that many residents have no interest and it makes no difference to them if the park turns into a garbage dump,” said Neeta Sharma, president of the South City RWA.

Every Wednesday, residents spend three hours from 4 to 7pm to work on the garden.

“We had developed the herbal park in blocks N and B some six years back. Stray animals used to loiter about in the vacant and neglected plots. The developer, Unitech, gets the place cleaned regularly but the RWA maintains the park,” Sameer Tripathi, RWA vice-president, added.

“Residents are involved in planting, watering and cutting trees. We plan to plant some more trees and label them properly,” said Rodrigues.