U.R.I India- Sri Lanka Assembly delegates
visted Bangalore Lalbagh Botanical Garden on 2nd April,2014.The
Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore is of royal origin and was started
initially as a private garden in an area of 40 acres by Hyder Ali, one of the
most famous rulers of old Mysore in 1760. Initially designed in Mughal style,
on the model of an extensive garden at Sira in Tumkur near Bangalore, this
garden was further developed by Hyder Ali’s son Tipu Sultan and subsequently by
the British and Indian doyens of horticulture by extension of area and addition
of a number of plant species. Of them, Major Waugh, Dr. Wallich, William
Munroe, Sir Mark Cubbon, Dr. Cleghorn, William New, A. Blck, John Cameron,
Krumbeigal, Rao Bahadur H.C. Javaraya, K. Nanjappa and Dr. M.H. Marigowda, as
the Superintendents of the garden, have made noteworthy contributions to the
development of Lalbagh.
Lalbagh is currently
under the aegis of the Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka.
The Directorate is housed amidst the splendid environs of the botanical garden.
Lalbagh was given the status of a Government Botanical Garden in 1856, and
since then, it has been an internationally renowned centre for scientific study
of plants and botanical artwork and also conservation of plants. Formal and
informal styles dominate the garden in perfect harmony, which is a testimony to
the beauty of nature. Today, the garden is a lush green paradise with an area
of 240 acres in the heart of the city.
Lalbagh, for its unique achievement in nurturing the concept of
horticulture and aiding the development of horticulture, has earned a pride of
place among the gardens of the world and it has come to be regarded as one of
the best gardens in the East for its layout, maintenance, scientific treasure
and scenic beauty. It is the place of legends and beauty, a place of rarity and
wonder, a place of paradise and landmarks. It is an important genetic resource
centre for introduction, acclimatization and maintenance of plants; it
envisages documentation of the variations available in plants of ornamental and
economic value. It is an important centre of dissemination of scientific, technical
and popular information on plants including offering of regular courses. It
aids the development of horticulture in the state. It is a valuable adjunct to
botanic study in educational institutions, a vital lung space of Bangalore, a
place of beauty that provides healthy recreation to the public and it provides
a venue for people to get close to plants and nature.The garden with well-laid
out roads, paths, open spaces, shade and a good collection of many types of
plant species attracts a large number of visitors. Lalbagh is well protected
with stone walls as enclosures and it has four approach gates. The main gate is
at the North facing towards Subbaiah circle, the West gate is towards
Basavanagudi, the South gate is towards Jayanagar and the East gate is towards
the Double Road.
The botanical garden is enriched with numerous native and exotic
flora of wide ranging diversity, use and interest. This has been achieved by
way of introduction; acclimatization and multiplication of plants obtained from
various parts of the world since its inception in 1760. Today, nearly 673
genera and 1,854 species of plants are found in Lalbagh. The collection of the
plants has made it a veritable treasure house of plants.Some of the exotic
species introduced from different parts of the world include Agathis sp.,
Amherstia nobilis, Araucaria sp., Averrhoa bilimbi, Bambusa sp., Bixa orellana,
Brownea grandiceps, Castanospermum australe, Cola acuminata, Corypha
umbraculifera, Couroupita guianensis, Cupressus sp., Eriobotrya japonica,
Magnolia sp., Swietenia mahagoni etc. Indigeneous species such as Artocarpus
heterophyllus, Bombax ceiba, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula , Dillenia
indica, Ficus sp., Lagerstromia speciosa, Michelia champaca, Mesua ferrea etc.,
can be seen. In addition, a number of ornamental and economic plant species
both of exotic and indigenous origin can be found in Lalbagh.
Prof. John Kurakar
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