Work begins on turning garbage dumping site into Nature Park

In a significant eco-restoration effort, the Forest Department has begun work on transforming a garbage dumping site in Gondpur Industrial Area into a Nature Park. Situated along the National Highway (NH) 707, the site was earlier used for unauthorised parking and waste disposal. The park is a part of a broader initiative under the new working plan for the Paonta Sahib forest division, approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in May 2024.

The project will benefit locals, tourists, and industrial workers in the area, offering a rejuvenated green space. The park will combine eco-restoration with landscaping, incorporating elements inspired by Japanese gardens and native plant species to encourage natural regeneration. This development follows the success of the Yamuna Riverfront Park, inaugurated earlier this year in February by Himachal Pradesh’s Industries, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour & Employment Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan.

On the first day of the project, 500 kg of garbage were cleared by the Forest Department officials, led by Range Officer (RO) Mohan Singh. The waste was transported to the Municipal Corporation’s waste treatment plant at Bhatawali for proper disposal. The other steps include fencing, planting, and installing seating areas, along with hoardings on nature awareness to educate visitors.

Divisional Forest Officer of Paonta Sahib, Aishwarya Raj, said that the development of the park was a public-private partnership, supported through the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution of local industries.