Dumping yard near Gurdwara Paonta Sahib along Yamuna now public park

Tribune News Service

Ambika Sharma

Solan, August 5

Local officials have transformed a dumping yard on the banks of the Yamuna and within 100 m of the famous gurdwara at Paonta Sahib into ‘Yamuna Van Vihar’.

The area was a dumping yard owing to 33-year ownership issues and consequent court cases with Uttar Pradesh (UP) as a barrage was to be set up on the land. No development could take place and the land become a favoured spot for drug addicts, says Paonta Sahib SDM Vivek Mahajan.

It was in 2021 that officials of the revenue and forest departments decided to put the land to some use. Mahajan initiated the move, taking all stakeholders on board, including officials from Uttar Pradesh. An understanding was reached and the Forest Department cleared a part of the land for development as a public park.

Kunal Angrish, DFO, Paonta Sahib, secured funds for the development of the park from the state Pollution Control Board and Deputy Commisioner Rajkumar Gautam.

“A team comprising Forest Range Officer Suprabhat Thakur, Deputy Ranger Sumant Kumar, forest guards and workers worked tirelessly to put the plan into action,” says Angrish.

The biggest challenge was to rid the land of waste material accumulated over the years, following which the site was closed for trespassers by installing a fencing. A tiled walking trail was created. Benches, made creatively by a local artist, were put there.

“Swings and environment-conscious signage were put up. Since the area is in the vicinity of a mortuary, it was hidden from public view by planting bamboo trees. An entry gate was erected at the park at a cost of Rs 20 lakh,” says the DFO.

Local NGO Hari Yamuna pitched in by providing an open gym. It placed a six-feet Krishna idol, which further added to the park’s attraction. The park is now abuzz with locals who go there in mornings and evenings, and enjoy their walks and gym sessions.

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