TNAU botanical garden to get facelift soon

Coimbatore: The botanical garden on the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) campus is all set to get a makeover at a cost of Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore. The garden on Maruthamalai Road has always been a tourist attraction. However, in recent years, the garden had lost its charm, raising concerns from the public. Now, the university has taken up the renovation work.
TNAU vice-chancellor N Kumar said they had started the work on January 26 and it would be completed by August 15. He pegged the cost at Rs 2-Rs 3 crore and said while the university would bear a portion of the cost, they were also looking for sponsors from outside. The garden is spread across 45 acres, of which 10 acres land is set aside as research space.

New features such as a butterfly garden and a bird garden would be added to the existing facility, Kumar said. “The butterfly garden would be a netted enclosure, where we would keep plants that would attract butterflies. People can visit the enclosure and watch butterflies without touching them.” The construction of the butterfly garden would cost around Rs 25 lakh and an NGO has come forward to sponsor it, he said.

Similarly, a garden with plants that would attract nectar-eating birds would be set up, Kumar said. “We are working with ornithologists in this regard.”

The renovated garden would also have a children’s corner with birds and animals such as pigeons and rabbits, the TNAU vice-chancellor said. “The Japanese garden at the facility would also be revamped and ducks would be introduced in it. We have purchased plants worth Rs 25 lakh from Rajahmundry and Kerala for the botanical garden and they would arrive soon.”