Ekamra Vana. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, July 9: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s passion for greenery has come as a boon for an acre of wasteland used as a common lavatory in Old Town area near Bindu Sagar pond.

A beautiful medicinal garden known as Ekamra Vana has transformed the entire landscape of the area.

Naveen personally took the initiative and supervised the entire work. A total amount of Rs 96.3 lakh spent on its overall development made the park one of the finest in the state capital within a span of two years.

Anupam Saha of Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage and former senior forest official B.K. Swain had helped in planning and conceptualisation of the theme of the park.

“Steps have been taken to blend spirituality, heritage and Ayurveda in the garden,” said Ashok Mishra, a senior forest department official and caretaker of Ekamra Vana.

He further added that almost 50 rare plants described in the book The Garden of Life authored by Naveen Patnaik have also been planted in the garden.

The whole garden is divided into thee sectors — one sector depicts the culture of Shaivaities, another is associated with Parvati (the wife of Lord Shiva) and the last depicts the myths associated with Lord Ganesh. All the flowers and plants associated with these deities are planted in the garden.

The myths associated with these three deities have been finely depicted in the garden. It also depicts how Lord Shiva had appeared in Bhubaneswar, which is also known as Ekamra Vana or Ekamra Kanan (since the areas have a good cover of shrubs and grasses with huge trees).

Almost 230 medicinal plants have been planted in the garden. The background of the garden is perfectly picturesque. It has been set up on the adjacent pond near Lingaraj temple.

Lingaraj (Lord Shiva) is the presiding deity of the capital city. Bindu Sagar is known as the Ocean Drop Tank. It is believed that Bindu Sagar contains water from every holy stream, pool and tank in India. Every month Naveen personally supervises the condition of the garden. Under the instruction of Naveen, a massive cleanness programme has been launched in the Bindu Sagar pond.

“We have already started treatment the water of the pond in a scientific process. An amount of Rs 8.8 crore has been allotted for the purpose,” said Bhubaneswar mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

“Out of it, Rs 5.5 crore will be spent on the peripheral development of the pond. Once the water is entirely cleaned and works on the peripheral development is over, the garden will look more attractive from a distance too,” Jena added.

During the initial stages, he used to visit the garden at least twice a week without letting any official know.

Whenever any official visits the state, Naveen never forgets them to take to Ekamra Vana for a visit. Even Naveen takes pain to explain them the importance and medicinal qualities of each plant.

On Naveen’s invitation, high-profile visitors like Sharad Pawar, Kapil Sibal, Jairam Ramesh, Kumari Selja and US consul-general in Calcutta Beth A. Payne have already visited the garden. Moreover, nearly 40 vaidyas (traditional doctors) have already visited the park and certified it as one of the best medicinal gardens.

Taking Naveen’s love for gardens, the state government has decided to set up nearly 50 parks and gardens in the state. A beautiful garden has come up in Naveen Niwas itself.

“Naveen has also a nice collection of orchids,” said a senior official.

“Though the size of the park is small, more than 50 visitors visit it for relaxation. The garden stays open for the public from 8 am to 11 am and again from 2 pm to 6 pm.

“We have already instructed the gardeners to educate people on the importance of medicinal plants, which they love to do. Everything in the park has been planned in a scientific manner,” the caretaker of the park, Ashok Mishra, said.

At Naveen Niwas, a beautiful lawn has been laid, where the chief minister loves to stroll.

Similarly, under the active supervision of the chief minister, a beautiful garden has been developed on the premises of the Orissa secretariat. Naveen personally took the initiative to make it more attractive. Even the colour of the buildings of the secretariat has been changed to pink from red.