Eco Park as a Sustainability Hotspot

Eco Park is an urban park located in New Town Kolkata, West Bengal. It is by far the biggest public park in India. The park was envisioned by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in July 2011. West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) along with other governmental bodies planned the infrastructure of the park. It was inaugurated by Mamata Banerjee on 29th December 2012 and opened for visitors on 1st January 2013.

The park consists of a variety of sections that have their significance. These sections are broadly divided into 3 parts:-

1. Ecological Zones like wetlands, grasslands, and Urban forest
2. Theme Garden and open space
3. Urban Recreation spaces

The park is further subdivided into sections based on the flora planted in each location. Tourists are drawn to the reproduction of the Seven Wonders of the World in addition to the lush foliage. Tourists and locals from all around India and West Bengal gather to celebrate with their friends and relatives. A bonsai garden, a cactus walk, and a heliconia garden are still to be added to the already existent flora, which includes wildflower meadows, a bamboo garden, grasslands, and a tropical tree garden, and a butterfly garden. Furthermore, a public-private partnership will be formed to construct an eco-resort, and a space will be set aside to display handcrafted goods from various areas of India.

How does eco park serve as a sustainability hotspot?

The very name of the urban park encourages the ecological aspect of long-term growth. The park is located in New Town Rajarhat, along the Major Arterial Road (part of Biswa Bangla Sarani). It is easy for tourists to visit because it is connected to both the VIP Road and the EM Bypass. The beautiful green park protects the environment from pollution created by automobiles that drive continuously from day to night. The park is considered a sustainability hotspot because it follows a systematic approach to sustainable development. The park seems to create an ecological balance between mad hustle and acute relaxation. The concept behind the Eco Park model is to have a variety of social, economic, environmental, and architectural requirements. It has an adequate form of water, food, and energy and is economically sustainable.

Ecological zones

• Wetlands: Wetlands are regions where water has accumulated on the earth. It can be found at the soil's surface all year or just during certain seasons. Wetlands aid in flood mitigation by holding water during thunderstorms. Wetlands can help combat climate change. It even cleanses water and provides a haven for aquatic animals. It offers various societal advantages, such as seafood, to both humans and wildlife. It aids in soil erosion, offers economically advantageous natural goods for human growth, and gives opportunities for recreation, education, and research activity, among other things. Eco Park is abundant in all of the long-term advantages it may provide to maintain the environment clean and safe.
• Greenland: Eco Park's Greenland is a huge expanse of land where many types of flora may be observed growing next to one other. Plants and trees contribute to the development of a robust environment. It contributes to mitigating the effects of climate change. Planting more trees can assist minimize soil erosion while also improving human well-being. The park was opened to the public on January 1, 2013, and since then, people have enjoyed spending time here with friends and family. Because of the lush green plantations and peaceful lakeside vista, the park is a popular winter picnic area.
• Urban forest: An urban forest is made up of trees and plants that develop in urban areas. Yards, pathways, roadways, utility corridors, and other features are included in this environment. The urban trees give clean and cleansed air for the city to breathe in amongst the bustling and dangerous emissions from adjacent roads. It also serves as a source of food and shelter for both animals and people. Forests also aid in carbon storage, rainfall-runoff reduction, and the provision of additional ecosystem services. It eliminates carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere as well as other pollutants like sulfur dioxide and ozone (O3), which are detrimental to both people and animals. The Urban forests add beauty to the overall city. An article published by The Quint in 2018 mentions, “Green for Life Foundation, an environmental NGO, is undertaking the forest plantation at another zone in Action Area I of New Town. The first saplings went down in December 2017. This monsoon, some 600-700 more saplings will take root and the whole plantation of 8,500 trees – consisting of neem, lambu akashmoni, Krishna Chura, and bokul – is expected to be completed within 3 years.”

Avian species of eco-park

According to a DownToEarth article, GPS-tagged photographic documentation was done on many kinds of birds present at Eco Park. According to the video footage, 66 bird species are existing as of 2021.

The birds captured in the footage include:

• Alexandrine Parakeet (near-threatened according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature or IUCN)
• Blue-throated flycatcher
• Black bittern
• Cinnamon bittern
• Eurasian wryneck
• Forest wagtail
• Green-crowned warbler
• Lesser coucal
• Olive-backed pipit
• Open-billed stork
• Oriental-reed warbler
• Pheasant-tailed jacana
• Red avadavat
• Scaly-bellied munia
• Siberian stonechat
• Western yellow wagtail

Birds suffer as a result of increased urbanization since they lose habitat due to climate change. This causes issues during migration since birds are afraid of becoming despondent owing to rising temperatures, floods, and deserts. Ajanta Dey, joint secretary of NEWS as well as IUCN India said, “You cannot avoid urbanization, but there has to be sustainability in it. Such urban parks are designed to include biodiversity aspects. They entertain visitors. They can also be designed to integrate biodiversity, birds, and plants.” Dey further said, “The ecosystem of this grassland needs to be restored since it houses turtles, lizards, mammals, snakes, and birds. If humans can have spaces for themselves then we should give them their breathing spaces too.” Roosting and breeding of birds depend upon the food supply they adhere to from the surrounding. Birds like Siberian Cranes depend upon marshy wetlands for food.

Things to do in eco park

Visitors come to unwind with their loved ones. Visitors at Eco-Tourism Park may participate in a variety of enjoyable activities to make the most of their stay. The activities include:

• Paddle: Boating Paddle boats are provided for Rs. 50/- for 4 people for 30 minutes. The jetty is close to Gate No. 2.
• Shikara Riding: From the same location as above, Shikara riding can be availed at a charge of Rs. 150/– for 4 persons for 30 minutes. Life vests are mandatory for all kinds of boating.
• Rowing: Charges Rs. 150/- per person for 20 minutes
• Duo Cycling: Charges Rs. 150/- for 2 persons for 30 minutes.
• Speed Boat: Capacity 2/25 heads. Charges Rs. 50/- per person per round.
• Bird Watching: Charges Rs. 10/- per person.
• Gun Shooting: Charges Rs. 50/- for 10 shots.
• Archery: Charges Rs. 50/- for 5 arrows.
• Kayaking: Kayaking is an adventure sport that costs Rs. 150/– for 30 minutes. The jetty is close to Rabi Aranya.
• Land Zorbing and Water Zorbing: Near Rabi Aranya, Eco Park provides interesting activities like land and water zorbing. The cost is Rs. 150/– per person for 200 meters of land zorbing and 15 minutes of water zorbing.
• Cultural Events: On Saturday evenings, the Open Air Theatre inside Rabi Aranya comes to life with cultural events like music, dance, and theater. Additionally, there are periodic event updates available on the HIDCO/Eco Park website.
• Gaming Zone: Bamboo Garden has created a Gaming Zone to attract gaming enthusiasts. The setup includes 12 gaming PCs loaded with the top titles such as Need for Speed, Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, Age of Empires, and many more. The hourly rate is Rs 50 per head.

How to reach eco park

If you live in the Hooghly suburbs, the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to get to Eco Park is to take an electric bus from Bally Halt to Korunamoyee. The usual one-way ticket is about Rs. 40-50. If an electric bus is not available, private buses or WBTC buses might be considered. For a one-way journey, a private bus costs Rs. 25 while the WBTC costs Rs. 15. Because a direct metro line has not yet begun, one can take a journey from Dakshineswar Metro to Dum Dum Metro or other stations that link with Dakhineshwar and then rely on other modes of transportation like bus, cab, or auto to reach Eco Park.

Conclusion

As Ajanta Das stated, we cannot escape urbanization, but there must be a sustainable way to do it. Thus, the ECO Tourism Park's pillars are built on the ideals of sustainable development. It not only soothes the city's insanity, but also serves as a haven for both plant and feathered species. The park connects the city to nature and serves as a man-made shield to protect all living beings from the effects of climate change. The winter season is the greatest time to visit Eco Park.

Muskan Agarwal, Student, Techno India Salt Lake, Kolkata.