Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SD)

Mumbai, Jan 8: In a great move towards beautifying the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has converted nearly a 2.75 lac square feet dump yard into a garden. Named it as Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Garden, BMC has planted about 4,000 saplings in the park located at Malad (west).

The BMC reported that the plot was taken by the civic body in 2002 and was lying unused since then. "This garden is now very popular among residents of Malad West area. Apart from trees, we have created pathways for walkers, installed a gazebo and even constructed a toilet for visitors," a senior civic official said.

"There were around 550 hutments which were removed in 2014. Now there is a two-kilometre long mud pathway. Because of the different varieties of trees, many of which are medicinal, many botany students also visit the garden. It is very popular among butterfly watchers and bird watchers too," the official added.

The official said that although the garden was opened in 2017, now it has become functional with fully grown trees.