Forest department seeks ‘society’ to ride over money woes

VARANASI: To overcome financial woes in maintaining Mrigadava (deer park) and sprawling lawns of Sarnath, the forest department has mooted a proposal to the state government for setting up of a society for its management.
Varanasi social forestry division’s divisional forest officer Moolchanda on Sunday said, “Major change is required for the management of Mrigadava and lawns of the main premises at Sarnath.A study on the issue has stressed on constituting a society to handle the site. A proposal was recently sent to the state government for approval.”
Sites like Mrigadava, lawns in Dhamekha Stupa’s vicinity and other Buddhist temples managed and maintained by the forest department continue to face financial problems even though in the last decade, the state and the central governments have launched a number of projects including creating of Buddhist Circuit by linking sites, including Sarnath, development of Buddha Park, light and sound show near Dhamekha Stupa, illumination of Buddhist sites and others.
“There is a ticket for entry into Mrigadava. Around Rs 25 lakh are collected annually through sale of tickets. However, this revenue goes directly to the state exchequer. The department has to send a proposal to Forest Corporation annually for budget to feed animals in Mrigadava and the mini-zoo. We get around Rs 15 lakh annually,” said the DFO. However, there is no provision of budget for maintenance, beautification and cleanliness of lawns in the vicinity of Dhamekha Stupa, Archeological Survey of India sites and Buddhist temple. The last project related to these lawns was taken up way back in 1991-92.
Repeated request for funds to replace lawn grass has been stonewalled by the suggestion to seek cooperation of NGOs. Initial attempts in this regard were confined to roping in horticulture department to prepare a project for beautification of the lawn. The department prepared a proposal of Rs 1 crore. A few interested NGOs shied away after expressing their inability to arrange such an amount.
“If government clears formation of a society to manage the park and lawns, the revenue generated through sale of ticket would go to the society account. The society would not only be able to generate fund through donations but also execute development plans by involving NGOs,” said Moolchanda adding that forest department would have a key role in the proposed society.