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Indian botanic garden to celebrate 225th anniversary
SNEHANGSHU ADHIKARI | Kolkata, January 24, 2012 19:48
Tags : botanic garden |225th anniversary of botanic garden |oldest botanic garden | largest botanic garden. |
Tags : botanic garden |225th anniversary of botanic garden |oldest botanic garden | largest botanic garden. |
The 273-acre Indian botanic garden, which houses nearly 1400 species of trees, artificial lakes will mark its 225th anniversary on January 28. The garden which is the biggest and oldest botanic garden of South-East Asia contains richest ever collection of palms (nearly 109 species).
Himadri Sekhar Debnath, director of the garden said, “The year-long celebration is slated to start from January 28 followed by a flower exhibition, which will be inaugurated by state governor MK Narayanan.”
According to the garden authorities, “State tourism minister Rachhpal Singh, environment minister Sudarshan Ghose Dastidar and renowned cartoonist Chandi Lahiri are expected to attend the concluding ceremony of the exhibition which will take place on January 30.”
Recently, incidents like fire in the garden on Republic Day last year and tree felling, have raised serious questions about the upkeep and safety of the garden.
“Lakhs of people visit the garden between December 25 and January 26. It is impossible to keep an eye on everyone with the insufficient security staff. I have asked for a fire engine to be stationed inside the garden during this period,” said the director.
Established in 1787 by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kyd, the garden was known as Company Bagan during the East India Company era which was later changed to ‘Royal: Botanic Garden’. Post independence, it became famous by the name of Indian Botanic Garden. In 1963, the garden came under the management of Botanical Survey of India.
The star attraction remains the Great Banyan Tree, which predates the garden. In 1925, its main trunk, with a 16m circumference, was removed after an infection. The tree has more than 2,800 prop roots and covers 1.5 hectares. The circumference of its canopy is about 450 metres and gives the appearance of a small forest.
Issue Dated: Feb 5, 2017
