Mughal Era Park in Kashmir to be converted into a heritage park

Srinagar, Jan 19 (ANI): Kashmir University will develop the Mughal era Naseem Bagh on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar into a Chinar (majestic trees-Platanus orientalis) heritage park.

Located to the north of Hazratbal, the garden is abundant with majestic trees (Platanus orientalis) commonly known as 'Chinar', owing to its flame coloured leaves.

The proposal for developing the garden into Chinar Heritage Park was mooted sometime back and the work on the Heritage Park has already started.

The Naseem Bagh garden is spread over 25 hectares of land and has nearly 700 Chinar trees.

"This park is a heritage site and it has become essential for us to revive it. This land is of 500 kanals and the site is situated opposite the famous Dal Lake. There is a Zabarwan mountain behind the Lake.

The whole combination of the park, the lake and the mountain make a beautiful landscape, which one can come across only in European countries but not in India. So we felt the need of its revival." said Bashir Ahmed Wafai, In-Charge, Naseem Bagh.

The university authorities are planning for the removal of unwanted barracks and stoppage of further construction of buildings in the park.

The local residents are happy as they see the initiative as a nice way to boost tourism.

"We have heard that the University is developing this park. This is a very nice initiative because it would boost the tourism. If the trees are trimmed regularly, it will benefit us. If Naseem Bagh develops, tourists would start coming to Srinagar, "said Nayeem, a resident.

The park will have all the existing Chinar trees properly conserved by selective pruning and trimming.

Well laid out landscapes, lighting and music system along the roads and footpaths in the gardens, and introduction of suitable ornamental plant material including novel species among lilies and other bulbous plants, climbers, perennials, flowering shrubs and ferns, will be the attraction of this heritage park.

The garden is believed to be the first Chinar conservatory initiative in the valley. By Parvez Butt (ANI)