BHUBANESWAR: Jayadev Vatika, one of the most frequented tourist getaways in the city, will get a face-lift. With eco-tourism in mind, the State Government has planned a slew of measures to develop the garden as a ‘Nature Zone’. This zone along with the Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves will later be developed into a ‘greater tourism circuit’. Currently, a compound wall for over 100 acres is being constructed.
Named after the 12th century poet Jayadev, the Vatika has 12 groves that depict the poet’s Geetagovinda. Spread over 17 acres, the garden is also home to 10,000 rare plants including medicinal ones. The Government has decided to set up rest-sheds, a quality interpretation centre and a souvenir shop inside the Vatika. The garden will have a mini-conference hall, parking lot near the entrance and pathways and lighting systems will be developed.
A cyclone shelter inside the Vatika will be developed into a restaurant where an array of authentic Oriya cuisine along with international cuisines will be served.
Sources said the Forest Department has been entrusted with landscaping and development of irrigation works inside the garden and an amount of ` 20 lakh has been provided to the department.
OTDC Chairman Jyotiskar Mohapatra said these development works would be carried out within a year and an amount of ` 2 crore has been earmarked for the purpose.