Next time when you visit Rashtrapati Nilayam in Bolarum, look forward to spend sometime in a new garden with indigenous plants and a duck pond on the sprawling premises.

In an effort to provide more enjoyment to people visiting the place, authorities are planning to develop more landscaping in an area of about four acres, opposite Herbal Garden.

Plans are afoot to develop a new garden in the Nakshatra (star) design with some rare and indigenous plants. The objective is to create awareness among people about a few rare plants that are on the verge being extinct and some indigenous plants that represent nativity, says an authority.

Presently, Rashtrapati Nilayam has fruit gardens spread over 35 acres and lawns with ornamental plants in an area of about six acres.

Bio-diversity

Besides, education to people, the move to have a garden with indigenous plants and trees would also help in preserving in the bio-diversity of the area. Unlike indigenous plants, which usually have long life, ornamental plants have short lifespan and require lot of maintenance, he explains.

“We would appeal to the higher authorities in New Delhi to approve the plan and once it is accepted, works would commence. We want to develop it by next year,” he says. The idea to develop the duck pond is to add a new amusement theme on the premises. It was operational until a few years ago and former President A.P.J Abdul Kalam liked it a lot

source: http://www.thehindu.com / National> Andhra Pradesh> Hyderabad/ January 15th, 2012