With the population of 1.67 crore and an ever increasing dependence on mall culture, Delhi still holds a green promise to its city dwellers. The best part of the national Capital is that most of its greenery is easily accessible to the people in the form of parks and that too for free.
Not only are these parks keeping Delhiites fit and healthy, but these well-maintained greens are also proving to be a hub for cultural exchange.
The sight of families and friends bonding with each other through gossips and laughter over a basket of packed food is indeed a treat to watch. lovers strolling around, senior citizens sharing their own joys and worries during their morning walk and the chirping of birds are a few chords that have kept this city alive.
The credit goes to the different civic agencies who have essentially taken up the cause of 'clean and green Delhi' quite seriously. Be it the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the three Municipal Corporations or the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), all have hundreds of workers dedicated towards the upkeep of their respective green belts.
Besides, the DDA spends nearly Rs40 crore every year to maintain these areas. Similarly, the NDMC and MCDs also spend crores annually for the same. The Pioneer takes a look at the six most frequented parks of Delhi.
Sources of city’s oxygen
lodi Garden
Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, the lodi Garden acts as an oasis of peace and tranquility. For years, this garden has been attracting people from all facets of life. It is one such unique garden which caters to all kind of people. The lodi Garden is rightfully called the 'Joggers Paradise' as it is one of the best parks where people come early in the morning for their daily exercise. While families, friends and loved ones come for picnics, nature lovers visit to see a variety of birds, butterflies and plants. With historical structures dating back to the time of the Sayyid and lodhi rulers from the 15th to 16th century, the park is also frequented by scores of history buffs. Be it an amateur photographer or a fitness freak or schoolchildren coming for recreational visits, the lodi Garden has nearly 4,000 visitors on a daily basis.
"Spread across an area of 85 acres, this garden is home to 5,400 trees of 210 varieties. The garden has a duck lake, a butterfly garden with 22 species of butterflies, a bamboo corner with eight varieties, herbal garden with 34 species of plants, a bonsai garden, and a fragrance corner," said Jitender Kumar Kaushik, the in-charge of lodi Garden.
Nearest Metro station — Central Secretariat
Indraprastha Park
Stretching 2.7 kilometres along the Outer Ring Road in East Delhi, the Millennium Indraprastha Park is another vast green lung of the city. Interestingly, this park was carved out of Delhi's biggest landfill site. The park which spreads over an area of 85 acres is divided into different zones like the Smriti Van, Fragrant Garden, Bougainvillea Garden, Topiary garden and Foliage Garden. Besides, there is also a World Peace Stupa inside the park, which was opened in 2007.
The park has a staggering 12,500 trees and over 25,000 shrubs. "On an average, 12,000 people visit daily. But on national holidays or on occasions like the recently held Indo-German Mela the footfall goes up drastically. Till now, the maximum footfall in a day has been 70,000 during the Indo-German Mela," said a senior DDA official.
Nearest Metro station — Indraprastha
Swarn Jayanti Park
located at Rohini Sector 10, the Swarn Jayanti Park is more famously known as 'Japanese Park'. The DDA, which maintains the park, claims that it is called so because the garden was created taking a cue from the parks in Japan. On hearing 'Japanese Park', one might imagine cherry-blossoms, raked rock gardens, or even pagodas; but this park has none of that. However, the only thing near to a real Japanese Park is the presence of circular, mauve and cream granite picnic huts, which at a stretch resemble the pagodas in Japan. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi built it in 1995, and the name was changed sometime after it was handed over to the DDA in the year 2000.
It has over 6,000 trees of 50 varieties and 150 different kinds of seasonal flowers. It also has a Bougainvillea garden with eight types of bougainvillea plants, a rose garden having 10 varieties. Besides, it has a four kilometre long jogging track, four lakes with 94 ducks and central fountains.
Around 100 workers work on the garden daily. While the average footfall is between 15,000 and 20,000; on national holidays, the number swells up to 70,000.
Nearest Metro station — Rohini West
Nehru Park
located in the posh Chanakyapuri Diplomatic Enclave, the Nehru Park is a trademark park for all the diplomats and bureaucrats working in the Capital. Spread across an area of 75 acres, it is famous for the regular events and 'morning ragas' (musical concerts) organised there. Besides, the park is adorned with alluring little mounds, lakes and also a natural valley. It has a series of embellished rocks with the famous quotes of Jawaharlal Nehru, after whom the park is named. As it was directly carved out of the Aravalli hills, the unevenness of the garden only adds to its beauty.
The park has 3,700 trees of nearly 126 varieties. It has different kinds of Pine, Bottle Palm and Banyan trees. There is a 'Monkey Bridge' made out of rocks, fountains and a jogging track. The irrigation part is taken care of by around 80 workers through the garden lakes.
Nearest Metro station — Race Course
Talkatora Garden
Historians say that the Mughals defeat in 1738 by the Marathas was in this very place. Besides, many claim that in ancient times the park was a water tank similar to the present day, swimming pools. The Talkatora Garden, located at Wellingdon Crescent Road, is under the jurisdiction of NDMC and is spread over an area of 48 acres. It inhabits 1933 trees of nearly 80 species. The park is adorned with beautiful vine covered caves, which attracts many providing a peaceful cool shade from the scorching heat.
Moreover, the NDMC is now going to give a facelift to the park by creating animal topiary in it. Officials have said that the technology used in making them will be first of its kind for the national Capital.
Nearest metro station - New Delhi
Astha Kunj Park
The Aastha Kunj Park, also known as the 'Spiritual Garden' of Delhi as it connects several centres of worship which includes the Bahai, Kalkaji and ISKON temples. In 2002, the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had laid the foundation of this sprawling 247 acres of green cover. The garden is under the DDA and has two small ponds, 12 rain shelters, several benches and over a thousand trees.
Nearest Metro station Nehru Place
