Lalbagh Gets Floating Gardens: A New Approach to Beautifying and Cleaning the Lake
Inspired by the famous floating gardens of Dal Lake in Srinagar, the Karnataka horticulture department is introducing a similar concept at Lalbagh Botanical Garden. The project aims to both beautify the area and improve the water quality of the nearby lake. This initiative follows a successful trial run at the Lotus Pond in Lalbagh, and it’s expected to be a major attraction soon.
Unlike the vegetable-growing floating gardens in Dal Lake, which use naturally occurring plants like Typha and Reed grass, Lalbagh’s version will feature a floating structure made from plastic and supported by PVC pipes. These floating platforms are designed to hold and grow plants, offering a sustainable solution for the lake’s water issues.
M Jagadeesh, joint director of horticulture, explained to TOI, “Instead of the usual grasses, we are using a plastic-based floating structure supported by PVC pipes to plant seedlings.” The initial Rs 3 lakh pilot project, conducted at the Lotus Pond, demonstrated the feasibility of this idea. The department is optimistic that this project will significantly improve the lake’s water quality, benefiting the surrounding environment.
The floating structures will have holes where plants are placed, and the roots will be submerged in water. The plant chosen for this project is Samudra Baale (Canna indica), whose roots can extend up to 1.5-2 meters deep, helping with both transpiration and water purification. As the roots grow deeper, they will help filter and cleanse the stagnant lake water, explained Jagadeesh.
Currently, experts are constructing floating platforms measuring 5×8 ft and 4×6 ft. Initially, three to five such bases will be set up in the Lotus Pond, and the department plans to introduce at least 25 platforms in the main lake, showcasing different colours of the Canna indica plant.
However, not everyone supports the initiative. Members of the Lalbagh Walkers and Joggers community have raised concerns, with one walker from VV Puram commenting, “If the project has worked elsewhere, they should provide more details and reassure us, or else the lake could turn into an eyesore.”
Despite these concerns, the horticulture department remains confident that the floating garden will help enhance both the beauty and the ecological health of Lalbagh.
Read also: