Facelift to Lodhi Garden on 75th anniversary

Lodhi Garden, which is known as the green lungs and heritage precinct of Delhi, has been given a facelift by New Delhi Municipal Council for its 75th anniversary celebrations on Saturday. The celebrations will be flagged off by a heritage walk. Chief minister Sheila Dikshit will also plant a banyan tree in Lodi Gardens to mark the celebrations besides inaugurating a 'fragrance corner' where several flowering plants will be planted.
"New varieties of botanical plants have also been planted this year.We are now going to work towards transforming Lodi Gardens into a cultural hub. On the day of the celebrations, special pamphlets giving information on the heritage structure and the flora and fauna will be handed out. For instance, 50 species of birds can be spotted in Lodi Gardens," said an NDMC official.
The civic body has taken on greening of the boundary areas and has improved the condition of the ground by planting more grass before the anniversary celebrations. Around five Maulsari trees were also transplanted within the garden area to ensure a clear view of the Bada Gumbad as you enter the garden area.
"The celebrations will be flagged-off by a heritage walk. The chief minister will also be planting a tree in the garden. In the evening a panel discussion will take place on Lodi Gardens as the green lungs and heritage precinct of Delhi. A lot of eminent people will be part of this panel," said Suhas Borker, co-founder of Green Circle, a voluntary group, which is also participating in organizing the anniversary celebrations. Lodi Gardens was inaugurated on April 9, 1936, as the Lady Willingdon Park. The park was renamed after India's Independence in 1947.