350-acre botanical garden planned in Nava Raipur

Raipur: A 350-acre botanical garden, billed as one of the largest nature tourism projects planned in central India, would soon come up near Jungle Safari in Nava Raipur as the Chhattisgarh forest department prepares to develop the project through the public-private partnership (PPP) model.The proposed botanical garden, along with the redevelopment of the 43-acre Nandan Van in Raipur, forms the centrepiece of the state’s new eco-tourism push.The project will include themed gardens, eco-friendly accommodation, musical fountains, water-based recreation, and a military heritage museum. The aim is to create a year-round recreational and educational destination for residents and tourists alike.Forest officials said they are studying successful botanical gardens and public parks in India and abroad including Mysuru’s Brindavan Gardens and botanical gardens in Seychelles and Indonesia, while preparing the blueprint. The forest department has begun consultations with private investors and is preparing a master plan for the projects, which will be developed on non-forest land under its control.Officials said the projects are intended to expand urban green spaces and boost nature tourism while creating employment opportunities.