'Suvarna vana' waiting for facelift in Sauthikere

The park was laid in 10 hectare land in 1999

The Suvarna vana which was built to commemorate golden jubilee of Indian independence in 10 hectare land in Sauthikere of Menasoor Gram Panchayat limits has not seen maintenance after it was constructed way back in  1999. The park was laid at an estimated cost of Rs 58 lakh and was inaugurated by former minister H G Deve Gowda.

The vana was developed with a view to create awareness among the public and children on the need for protecting trees.

An information centre was set up in the limits to provide information on forest.

The Social Forestry had taken up the responsibility of maintaining it. Though the centre was working out well in the beginning, owing to lack of maintenance it lost its old charm.  The Suvarna vana is known for its precious trees like ‘hebbalasu,’ ‘nerale,’ teak, ‘bilimathi,’ ‘nagasampige’ and ‘Honge.’

Navahraha vana with ‘Arali,’ banyan, ‘Ekke,’ ‘bilvapathre,’ ‘banni,’ cotton, ‘Basli’ and Tulasi are waiting for facelift. Of these precious trees, only few are surviving.

The rest room which was constructed in the vana is in dilapidated condition.

What is depressing is the pathetic condition of swings. It is rusted and no child might dare to go near it. A pond which was laid inside the park has gone dry and the ladder which was laid to enter the lake has been damaged.

Social Forest department official Manjunath said “drains will be constructed and more medicinal plants will be planted in the region. We are not getting funds from the government to take up maintenance work. If we get funds, then we can maintain it well and attract a large number of tourists to the vana.

The weeds grown around the Vana has been removed under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 70,000.”

MLA D N Jeevaraj said “we have chalked out plans to develop Suvarna vana.”