217 sites identified for senior citizens’ parks in Himachal

Shimla, February 20

The state government is constructing parks and gardens with facilities for senior citizens in each development block under MGNREGA through the Rural Development Department.

Under the Panchavati scheme, the parks are being developed on at least one bigha of land. “These parks are being constructed under the joint efforts of MGNREGA, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and the 14th Finance Commission. Each park is being constructed with an estimated cost of Rs 8. 75 lakh, but the construction cost can be increased depending on the geographical location of the area,” said a government spokesperson.

In these parks, ayurvedic and medicinal saplings are being planted through gram panchayats along with recreational equipment, walking paths and entertainment facilities for the elderly.

“Apart from this, jogging treks, special places for yoga, meditation classes, toilet facilities and solar lights are also being provided in each park. The services of the technical wing of the Rural Development Department are being taken for construction in these parks in the rural areas. These parks are being maintained through gram panchayats,” the spokesperson said.

He said in the financial year 2020-21 with an expenditure of Rs 965 lakh, about 198 Panchavati parks were constructed or are underconstruction, whereas in 2021-22, about 217 locations were identified for the construction of these parks.

As many as 97 Panchavati parks would be constructed in Una district, 23 in Shimla district, 12 in Mandi district, eight in Kullu district, three in Lahaul-Spiti, four in Sirmaur district, seven in Solan district, 37 in Kangra district, six in Kinnaur district, 12 in Hamirpur district and four each in Bilaspur and Chamba districts.

“Currently, the work on Panchavati parks is in progress at 70 places with an expenditure of Rs 157 lakh,” he said.

He said the government had always laid emphasis on rural-oriented policies to ensure rapid development. “Through these parks, the physical, emotional and social needs of the elderly are being met,” he said.

Key facilities

• Jogging treks, special places for yoga, meditation classes, toilet facilities and solar lights are being provided in each park
• Ayurvedic and medicinal saplings are being planted in these parks through gram panchayats
• The parks are being built under the efforts of MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), 14th Finance Commission
• Each park is being built at an estimated cost of Rs8. 75 lakh, but the cost can go up depending on the geographical location of the area