The Pioneer  10.11.2010

Parvaiz Sultan | New Delhi

Delhiites interested in learning gardening skills will be able to enroll themselves with the proposed School of Gardening, an initiative of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). The civic body has decided to throw open the gates of the institution for general public once the proposed school will start functioning by the end of this month, which was initially planned for improvement of horticulture skill of its field staff.

At the centre, enthusiasts will have an opportunity to polish their expertise under the guidance of botanists and horticulture experts from organisations like Pusa Institute, Forest Research Institute and National Botanical Research Institute.

In February, NDMC had announced to set up such a centre for its staff where training for gardening including tips in specific areas of horticulture will be given.

A senior official of Horticulture Department of NDMC said the preparation is going on in full swing at our Purana Qila Road nursery, where this school of Gardening is being set up. “Originally, we have planned to sharpen the skill of our 1,100 gardeners and nursery keepers at this school through a variety of basic and advanced-level courses.

They have responsibility to look after 1,100 acres of green cover of the Capital including several parks and gardens like Nehru Park, Lodhi Garden, Talkatora Garden or Commonwealth Games Park. Recently 937 more parks were also handed over to us by Central Public Work Department (CPWD) for upkeep. But after much deliberation, it has been decided to allow common man to join to advance their horticultural artistry,” he said.

At the school, besides various long-term courses in different aspect of gardening, the civic body has also planned to introduce several other short-term courses keeping the interest of general public in mind. The council official further said the curriculum for short-term courses focusing on kitchen garden and small domestic rose garden has especially been designed for housewives etc. “We will call experts from Pusa Institute, Forest Research Institute, National Botanical Research Institute and from other institutions, to impart training. We have plans to hold workshops also including crash courses on kitchen garden, plant protection, tissue culture, soil science and landscape design at the school,” said the NDMC official.

The official of the horticulture department added, in a way the school has become our need as some of the horticulture staff was recruited long ago and they need to be updated about the latest trends, equipments and technologies in horticulture. “Those who will be trained at our school will have added advantage as they will have an opportunity to perform practicals at our parks and gardens. After successful completion of the course, the students will also get a certificate,” he said.