PUDUCHERRY: The renovated 188-year-old Botanical Garden is all set for inauguration on Monday. The garden which attracted much attention through Ang Lee’s movie ‘Life of Pi’ movie, was taken up for renovation at a cost of Rs 8.15 crore under centrally sponsored scheme in December 2013.
The garden was established during the French regime in May 1826. It had over 2,000 trees belonging to 175 species and many more plant varieties including 25 to 30 tropical dry evergreen species. However over 300 trees were uprooted in Cyclone Thane in 2011. The garden suffered extensive damage following which the Department of Tourism and Agriculture had drawn up plans for restoration.
Under the Tourism Project, facilities comprising Kids play area, Japanese garden, Viewing deck, Rock garden, Ashlar bridge and grass steeped seating for enhancing the scenic beauty through floral and other species to ensure visual treat and site seeing experience to the visitors were taken up, said Tourism Minister P Rajavelu.
The Agriculture department has replanted several trees damaged in the cyclone, while adding new species.
Lieutenant Governor A K Singh had earlier emphasised on the need for strengthening the fossil park by adding fossils from over the country. At present the fossils from Thiruvarkkarai only are present.