After the nominal hike in entrance fee for Lalbagh Botanical Garden, the entry fee for the Republic Day flower show is also likely be hiked.
According to sources, the fee will increase by `10 — from `40 to `50 on weekdays and `50 to `60 on weekends. The flower show will be held from January 16 to 26.
The show will commemorate German botanist Gustav Krumbiegel, known for his contributions to the garden. Rather than being limited to the Glass House, where the event is held annually, it will be spread across the 240-acre garden. Another flower show is expected to be held in March-April, sources added.
Fee Revised After Eight Years
The revised fees for entry to the garden from `10 to `20 came into effect from January 1. M R Chandrashekar, Deputy Director of the Lalbagh, said the revision was made after eight years. “We started charging `10 for entry in 2007. The Department held several meetings regarding revision over the past year,” he said.
The garden, however, will remain open for morning and evening walkers. The revision will apply to visitors older than 12 years.
Despite reservations expressed by a few that some organisations could oppose the hike in entry fee, no such demands have been made, he added.
Flowers for a Once ‘Enemy Foreigner’
Born in 1865, German botanist and garden designer Gustav Krumbiegel was most celebrated for his work in Lalbagh. In 1893, he was invited to be the curator of botanical gardens in the princely state of Baroda. In 1908, he joined as the economic botanist and superintendent of Lalbagh Gardens on Krishnaraja Wodeyar’s invitation. When during the World War II, Krumbiegel was named in the list of enemy foreigners and was confined at the internment camp in the city. After the war, he stayed on in the city till his death and was buried in the Methodist Cemetery on Hosur Road.