Aiming for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Collector of Barwani in Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh has transformed a barren hill into an 'urban green space'as a part of'Ankur Abhiyan' using greywater and also ensured a fully public participation and contribution in the noble cause.
Now, the unusablehill that has been named Shiv-Kunj has become a retreat destination for the public, where people can enjoy amenities such as a 'city forest', a community fitness spot, cultural event place, children park along a yoga and meditation centre for spiritual wellness.
'Ankur Abhiyan', Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's state wide flagship campaign to protectenvironment. Giant statues of Lord Adi Yogi and Panchmukhi Hanuman were installed on the hill.
Turning the government Abhiyan into a public movement, the collector Singh has planted around 30 thousand saplings on the hill located in the middle of the city in 35-acre and a part of the picturesque Satpura range. Now saplings are going to become trees and form a 'city forest'.
"Keeping in mind the 'Ankur Abhiyan', first of all, we made aware people of Barwani about the plantation and environment, it connected them with the district administration and people came forward for a mega plantation and contribution. Our officials and employees have also connected emotionally with it," Collector Singh told The Pioneer.
"Besides, we have also planted around 40 thousand additional saplings on other two hills with a fully public participation", the collector said.
"Prioritising the SDGs, we focused on saving water, conserving energy and recharging groundwater. The greywater(treated sewage water) has been used for the plants by drip irrigation. Solar panels have been set up and excavated a ditch around the hill at the down for storage water," Singh added.
"The city forest will promote the 'carbon credit'- a crucial concept to protect urban air pollution because urban trees improve air and water quality, reduce energy costs, and improve human health," he further added.
Shiv-Kunj has become a gorgeous tourist destination and included in the calendar of the district tourism promotion council. The movement of local and domestic tourists have started to the spot. The project is alsounique examples of the good governance. By developing it the administration save a prime location land from the encroachers.