An area of 10 hectares of the Yamuna river floodplain, South of NH-24 on the western banks is being developed as a theme-based multipurpose area using bamboo as a material in biotic and abiotic form. Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday laid the foundation of ‘Baansera’, the city’s first Bamboo-themed park, and dedicated it to the people of the national Capital. A bamboo café is also proposed along with seating under bamboo trees. Large spaces for congregation have been designed with live bamboo plants forming a curtained enclosure.
The city’s first-of-its-kind initiative has been named Baansera as derived from the Hindi word “basera” meaning “abode”.
The park will have more than 25,000 special variety of Bamboo saplings, brought from Assam. These will be planted to achieve the purpose of augmenting the much-needed public spaces in the Capital and also ensure that the rich biodiversity of the floodplain is preserved and maintained.
According to a senior Delhi Development Authority (DDA) official, on the occasion, the L-G said that plantation of Bamboo on a large scale will help address the Capital’s problem of air pollution significantly as the Bamboo plant produces about 30 per cent more Oxygen even as it consumes far less water and enriches the soil.
“While identifying the site in June this year, the L-G had instructed for a 2.5 hectare depression over there, to be developed into a live water body. Works for the same has been completed and the water body will be a part of Baansera,” he stated.
Elaborating about the project, L-G Saxena informed that “the entire area has been categorised into two parts: Bamboo recreation primarily in the greenway zone and Bamboo plantation along with other riverine plantations.”
“Baansera” will have a unique experience in terms of plantation of different varieties of bamboo plants especially procured for this area. Apart from plantations, the park will have amenities designed in Bamboo including kiosks, huts, watchtowers and seats for public use in greenway area along kachaa paths,” official said.
“The Bamboo recreation area in the greenway zone comprises of an Arrival zone- A transitional area that acts as a journey from the city’s busy life into the pristine river floodplains with an experiential walk amongst plantations that takes you into gathering spaces,” he informed.
On the occasion several senior dignitaries including Member of Parliament, Gautam Gambhir, Chief Secretary Delhi, Naresh Kumar, and Vice-Chairman of the DDA, Manish Kumar Gupta were present.