the form of plants and trees. The gardens of Kolkata as such
provide the natural habitat to a vast species of plants. These
gardens make up ideal places, an egress to the fast and cranky
city life. Some of these precious gifts have been preserved
and are being maintained by the state governing agencies.
These wonderful places include Eden Gardens, Indian Botanical
Gardens, Horticulture Gardens and Zoological Gardens.
The famous gardens of Kolkata are outcomes of some ardent
efforts undergone by their founders. The Eden Gardens, created
by two sisters - relatives of Lord Auckland, house a number
of features including replete trees and shrubs, a Burmese
Pagoda and an artificial lake. Indian Botanical Gardens and
Horticulture Gardens have thousands of plant species rooted
in them. On the grounds of Indian Botanical Garden stand the
massive banyan tree with the largest canopy in the world.The
garden has as many as 12,000 living plants. The Horticulture
Gardens contain a large number of ferns and medicinal plants.
The Zoological Gardens, as the name suggests, provides the
habitat to a number of animal species. Some chief attractions
of the garden are the Bengal Tiger, rare migratory birds,
reptile house and a children zoo.
Botanical Garden
About Botanical Garden
The gardens were originally founded in 1786 by Colonel Kyd,
containing about 12,000 living plants and over two and half
million dried out plant specimens in the herbarium collected
from all over the world. This is the oldest of all the Botanical
Gardens in India. It was from these gardens that the tea now
grown in Assam and Darjeeling was first developed. Trees of
the rarest kinds, from Nepal, Brazil, Penang, Java and Sumatra
can be found here. There are towering Mahogany trees, an avenue
of Cuban Palms and an Orchid House. Mango and Tamarind trees
shade the grassy lawns. Col. Alexander Kyd of the East India
Company developed it for the collection of plants, indigenous
to the country and for the introduction and acclimatization
of plants from foreign parts. It remains opened from sunrise
to sunset. This ethereal ambience is ideal for fun, fiesta
and frolics.There is a serpentine lake where boating
is possible. Botanics posseses a priceless collection of books
in its library.
The main trunk was infected by fungus and had to be removed
in 1945, but 1573 aerial branches from the mother tree took
roots all around covering 404 sq metres.
The main attraction of the garden is the 200 year old Banyan
Tree, claimed to have the second largest canopy in the world.
The Botanical Garden is the world's largest, having a circumference
of 330m. Aquatic plants are also very interesting.
Adjacent to the Botanical Garden is the Bengal Engineering
College which is the state's oldest technical institute and
has been declared a deemed university. Established in 1856,
is the second oldest and one of the premier engineering institutions
in India. It is one of the best colleges of the state and
has a beautiful campus. Both the Indian Botanic Garden and
the Bengal Engineering College are spread over two of the
largest green areas of this metropolis.
Eden Garden
Fact File
» Entry- Free
» Timing - open 24 hours
Location
It is situated just adjacent to the stadium and has a glorious
past.
About Eden Garden
Eden Garden is the oldest cricket ground in India and is also
considered one of the finest in the world. It was created
in 1840 and named after the sister of Lord Auckland, the former
governer general. The idea was to make a Biblical - style
garden of Eden in India. The expanse dotted with beautiful
trees and shrubs is intersected by winding paths, and there
is a large artificial lake. Adjoining the lake is the Pagoda
which was brought to Kolkata from Burma after the British
defeated the Burmese in the war of 1884. Near the garden you
can take a pleasant walk along the bank of hooghly river.
Eden Gardens has an exclusiveness of its own. Ethereal and
elusive the enduring charm of Eden Gardens has lent an aura
of its own on cricketers past and present, young and old,
competitive and friendly. Endearing and enchanting, the emerald
green carpet and the earnest crowd have held tough men in
flannels spellbound.
People who come here for chilling out are fascinated by its
beauty and freshness. Even the habitu's of the park are obsessed
with this groovy pagoda - a structure of mystic beauty. In
1852, this pagoda was first established in Prome, a city in
Burma by Ms. Mannikin, a Burmese lady. The chief architect
of this splendiferous pagoda was Mong Hue. He was ably assisted
in this task by ten skilled carpenters. The work was completed
within three months. It cost Rs1500 in those days. Built of
exquisite Burmese segoon, the pagoda housed an idol of Gandhasa,
whose forehead was studded with several precious jewels. Such
a pagoda is called Taza-Ung.
Inside the Garden
Rows of benches are arranged inside the garden. Perched on
the wooden benches, the elderly couples can often be seen
ruminating. Young and romantic couples come here in search
of some rare moments of undiluted, pure pleasure in the bosom
of nature. People are also found lolling on the carpet of
lush green grass under the cool shadows of the enveloping
trees. Some are also found relaxing by the side of the pond
in front of the pagoda. Indeed, this is a wonderful place
for heaving a sigh of relief in a dull and sultry afternoon
and enjoying a tryst with nature.
Zoological Garden
About Zoological Garden
Established in 1875, and spread over nearly 100 acres in the
heart of Kolkata are the Zoological Gardens. Inaugurated by
the Prince of Wales in 1876, it is one of the oldest and the
largest Zoos of India.
It also has many varieties of birds and reptiles other than
the interesting flora and fauna. Some of the animals are displayed
in near natural environments, others in the pitiful conditions
characteristic of Third World Zoos. In 1873, the then Governor
Sir Richard Temple proposed the formation of a zoo in Calcutta.
Sir C.L. Lendal corroborated it. Finally, the Government allotted
land for this purpose responding to the joint petition of
the Asiatic Society and Agri-Horticultural Society. It comprises
several animals, birds and even creatures of rare species.
It has a large collection of birds and mammals, and an enclosure
for reptiles, including a tortoise that is much older than
the zoo itself. Giraffes and Kangaroos, Monkeys and Hippos
along with various birds and reptiles are also exhibited in
the Zoo.
During the winter season, the migratory birds flock in the
zoo for its artificial lake and vegetation. But in recent
times the birds do not flock so much as the yester years due
to ecological imbalances.
There are some 'Bhawans' or buildings inside the premises
of the zoo such as the Reptile-House. Different creatures
dwell in these buildings as well. The Zoological Garden is
a perfect tourists spot which attraction a lot of people from
all over the world.
Within the Gardens, there is also a Snake House, the white
tigers, tigons (cross between lion and tiger), litigon ( a
cross between a lion and a tigon) and Children's Park, the
lake bristling with birds are all very attractive.
If your plan to go to Zoological Garden, don't miss your another
attractions such as Agro Horticultural Garden and National
Library.
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