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Parks of Hyderabad: Sri Kotla Vijay bhaskar Reddy Botanical Garden
The Sri Kotla Vijaybhaskar Reddy ((SKVBR) Botanical Garden in Kondapur is situated along the Gachibowli-Miyapur highway. Spread in 274.11 acres the Garden is now maintained by the Telangana Forest Development Corporation Ltd (TFDC), under the Echo Tourism Division. Opened in 2001, the Garden was originally divided into 19 sectors, or ‘vanams’
The Sri Kotla Vijaybhaskar Reddy ((SKVBR) Botanical Garden in Kondapur is situated along the Gachibowli-Miyapur highway. Spread in 274.11 acres the Garden is now maintained by the Telangana Forest Development Corporation Ltd (TFDC), under the Echo Tourism Division. Opened in 2001, the Garden was originally divided into 19 sectors, or ‘vanams’. There are sections for medicinal plants, fruit trees, ornamental plants, timber trees, aquatic plants and more.
Apart from being an eco-tourism project by the government, it is also utilised as a storehouse for plants that are used for scientific and research purposes. It is also aimed to generate public awareness regarding plant conservation. There are over 600 species of plants in the Garden and the place is dotted thick with them, except for the paced areas where visitors walk.
The place was also designed to have large bodies of water, meadows and exquisite rock formations; everything is similar to a dry forest, much like the Deccan Plateau. The place also attracts birds and insects, enhancing the already heavy organic feel.
The entrance fee is Rs 15 for adults and Rs 5 for children. Passes are issued to morning walkers at nominal cost. The Garden opens daily from 6 am to 5 pm. The Secunderabad Railway Station is 25 km away and the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is 30 km away.
History
Ravinder Reddy, Assistant Director, TFDC Ltd said, “This Reserve Forest was bought from the Nizam at a nominal price in those days. Later, it was handed over to Forest Area in 2001 to promote Echo Tourism.” It was named after K Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy who was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 1983 and in 1992.
Problems
According to a spokesperson of the TFDC Ltd, the Garden was maintained well from 2001 to 2011 as per the original plan. In June, 2006 tenders were called for from Dellora Tourism Corporation Pvt Ltd, Track India Pvt Ltd and Hyderabad Bird Park to promote SKVBR.
The tenders were finalised by the government with a lease period of 33 years and ordered to take up the projects as per the terms and conditions. In 2009, severe allegations were made by the public and other agencies that the bidders had deviated certain terms and conditions of the agreement, hence there was a demand for cancellation of the awards granted to them.
On inquiry by GOI in 2011, the Kamal Naidu Committee ordered for suspension of the all the activities by the bidders. According locals and park users, the park is now totally abandoned and in ruins since 2011. Although a good number of people visit it daily,
there is no water for greenery, no drinking water, no toilets or cafeteria. There is no separate play area for children and the water ponds and fountains have dried up. The government should make attempts to revive the park and bring back it past glory.
