Barren forest land converted into �Nature Park�, Medicinal saplings planted

Jamshedpur, June 5: On the occasion of World Environment Day, residents of Mango got a gift in the form of Nature Park.

The park built by Mango forest range at Pardih under Jamshedpur forest division was inaugurated on Sunday by Jamshedpur West MLA and state food and civic supplies minister Saryu Roy.

The vast stretch of forest land was lying barren and was under threat of encroachment and converting the area into park will not only protect the forest land but also serve need of the people.

�It is an important step to preserve environment. The area was lying deserted alongside New Purulia Road and was used by miscreants and encroachment had also begun on this land. I discussed it with the forest and toyed with the idea of converting the vast land into a �Nature Park� which was a much-felt need of the local residents,� said Saryu Roy.

The park spread in 6.9 acres is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 24.5 lakh and has modern convenience for residents like pathway, solar-powered street lights, fountains, drinking water facility, palm groves and medicinal plants, a small pond and contoured trench for� water harvesting and groundwater recharging and all these facilities will be guarded 24×7 by security personnel of forest department for safety of visitors.

�More than 51 varieties of medicinal plants have been planted across the park along with 10 varieties of palm trees. We have planted over 900 endangered medicinal plants at the park,� said Jamshedpur divisional forest officer Saba Alam Ansari.

A 3000-feet long pathway has been built using cement concrete pavers block for morning walkers and joggers. Landscape work is also being carried out across the park with grass carpeting at lawn.

Deep boring facility has been made for providing drinking water facility for visitors. Around 50 solar powered street lights will be installed by Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) soon and 10 dust bins will be placed across the park.

In order to ensure safety, five security guards of forest department have been appointed at the park gate on rotation basis.