In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Urban Biodiversity wing of the GHMC is developing a Panchatantra-themed park in Gopannapally.
Apart from a lawn and flowering plants, the 1.2-acre park will have a play area and sculptures of animals that will narrate stories from the Panchatantra at the press of a button. As they hear the stories, children will also be able to read along from boards written in Telugu and English.
Until now, the area was just an unused piece of land, where some saplings were planted as a part of the state government’s Haritha Haram initiative.
It was Hari Chandana, the Commissioner of the West Zone, who decided to turn it into a park. Talking about the project, she says, “We want to develop parks and increase the green cover in the city. We also want to create a place where children will remain engaged and learn something while having fun. Instead of Disney stories, we have used Panchatantra tales, which teach moral values. We also want to pass on ancient learning to the kids. We believe that such theme-based parks will create interest among children; they will flock to them and have a great time.”
Work in progress at the Panchatantra-themed park.
To begin with, five life-size story-telling sculptures are being installed. They are being made of cement and fibre so that they appear lively and realistic. The entrance and the walls of the park are also being decorated with images from the Panchatantra. Interestingly, old tyres from vehicles are being used as flowerbeds, and the flowering plants are expected to attract butterflies. The landscaping work has already been completed, and the sculpting work is in its final stages. “Once we paint the animals and install them at their appropriate locations, the park will be ready for inauguration within a couple of weeks,” the Commissioner reveals.
The park has been funded and adopted by AVN Vida International School, which has donated Rs 25 lakh as part of its corporate social responsibility.
