https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome to The ‘Nest of Happiness’, Bhubneshwar’s Premier Urban Oasis

Ananda Bana, a sprawling urban forest, offers a range of amenities to its visitors Inaugurated recently, Ananda Bana incorporates several forest techniques, including Miyawaki plantations Ananda Bana is building amenities for people that allow them to feel nature without disrupting the natural forest structure.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Can you imagine over 50,000 trees in an urban park in the heart of the city? In Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, Ananda Bana is fostering a healthy urban environment and establishing green infrastructure in the heart of the city. Spread over 89.05 acres, it not only improves the city’s overall air quality index but also provides tourists with a variety of amenities that enhance their experience.

It is one of Odisha’s largest urban forest parks, urging you to walk, cycle, explore nature trails, meditate, practice yoga, or simply bask in its tranquil ambiance. It has transformed into a lush sanctuary, boasting thriving greenery, expansive tree canopies, serene water bodies, and a rich tapestry of wildlife. CM Naveen Patnaik has dubbed it the ‘Nest of Happiness.’ 

Indian Masterminds interacted with 1991 batch IAS officer, Satyabrata Sahu, currently posted as the Additional Chief Secretary, Forest & Environment, and 2016 batch IFS officer Manoj Mohapatra, Regional Chief Conservator of Forest, Bhubaneswar Circle to know more about this.

ANANDA BANA

Ananada Bana, named after the Sanskrit words ‘Ananda’ (happiness) and ‘Bana’ (forest), features a picturesque footbridge and encourages tourists to explore the nature trails, meditate, practice yoga, and relax in the calm setting.

The park is divided into two parts, connected by a footbridge. The first section of the park covers 61.68 acres and the second covers 27.37 acres. It is a green paradise with 550 meters of rock trails and 32,750 square feet of water bodies that provide habitat for numerous aquatic species, enhance the tranquil atmosphere, and serve as a platform for developing future environmental leaders.

Mr. Sahu said, “It was a highly degraded land, and people started to encroach there. But now it has transformed into a lush green dense forest and provides the blissful abode of nature. It is the best solution for climate change adaptations and biodiversity conservation.” 

WHY IS IT DIFFERENT?

Ananda Bana is home to a diverse range of wildlife and flora. It delivers a variety of great experiences that allow you to heal naturally. It supports a variety of ecosystems, including grasslands and ponds.

A 1.35-kilometer trek across both forest patches, linked by a scenic footbridge, encourages you to immerse yourself in nature’s peacefulness, with birdsong and the rustle of leaves adding to the peaceful environment.

Nature trails within the park provide several pathways for jogging, bicycling, and leisure walks, totaling 4.7 kilometers of diverse landscapes.

The Ananda Bana offers a soil trail. This one-kilometer route connects you with the land and provides a grounding feeling.

Rock route: A 550-meter-long rock route provides an exhilarating off-road adventure while stimulating the feet’s acupoints for physical and mental well-being.

Water Bodies: Anandabana’s three water bodies show the critical link between water and forest ecosystems.

INCEPTION 

The project to develop Ananda Bana began about two years ago when the Government of India presented the states with a plan to develop ‘Nagar Van’. 

Mr. Manoj said, “In the Nagar Van project, we had to ask several funding agencies like BMC, BDA, OMC, etc., both state and central, for financial assistance. At that time, OMC (Odisha Mining Corporation) gave the proposal to develop a standalone model of urban forest that would have all the components of a green forest, preserving all the greenery and best possible ecological practices.” After that, this park came into existence. 

MIYAWAKI FOREST

Ananda Bana has around 50,000 trees, including native species; medicinal plants on both sides of trails; and bamboo along the boundary.

It also features 12,000 Miyawaki plantations, which are managed using the Japanese Miyawaki technique to preserve biodiversity. It is divided into three areas, each spanning two hectares.

The Miyawaki technique, named after Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, is a highly successful strategy to jumpstart the growth of a forest or woodland.

Mr. Manoj said, “Along all trails, there are more than 69 types of medicinal plants, each with its own unique benefits.”

Ananda Bana is home to 40-50 native plant species, more than 10 types of migratory birds, 15+ butterfly species, and 5+ reptile species. Their trails are lined with zoysia and broadleaf grasses, which help to avoid soil erosion, and over 120 places have seasonal flowers and water lilies, which give color and life.

QR codes are found on the majority of tree species. People can scan it and learn about it.

GENERATING EMPLOYMENT

This project is also generating employment since many local SHGs find work outside of Ananda Bana. Most SHGs sell their products to tourists. There are SHG-run restaurants, as well.

IMPACT

Ananda Bana has a significant environmental impact. Carbon sequestration of 500 tons per year is estimated. While it improves water infiltration and lowers local microclimate temperatures by up to 5 degrees, it also improves the city’s air quality index.

Mr. Manoj said, “Ananda Bana has become a concept now. We are trying to implement this concept in all other parks that are being developed by the government.” 


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
shastri-bhawan
CSS Forum Backs Officer Deepak Khoda After Suicide Attempt Over Alleged Workplace Harassment by IAS; Demands High-Level Probe in Letter to Minister
Gandhinagar: Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R
14 Million Seedlings and Counting: Gujarat’s Centres of Excellence Drive Horticulture Innovation with Global Backing
Siyan Gudis old age homes Chhattisgarh
CM Sai Announces 'Siyan Gudis' for Elderly in 4 Chhattisgarh Cities, Launches Welfare Measures on International Day of Older Persons
Sardar Patel 150th birth anniversary celebrations
Gujarat CM Reviews National Unity Day Arrangements Ahead of Sardar Patel’s 150th Birth Anniversary at Sardar Sarovar Dam
Pushkar Singh Dhami CM
Uttarakhand CM Flags Off Free Ambulance for Senior Citizens on International Day of Older Persons
KVS
Cabinet Approves 57 New Kendriya Vidyalayas Across India with ₹5862 Cr Outlay, 4600+ Jobs to Be Created
bureaucracy news
Ambica Anand Appointed Director in Ministry of Steel, Neeraj Surendran Named Deputy Secretary in MSDE
PiyushGoyal-resized
India-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (TEPA) Comes Into Force, Boosting Trade and Investment Opportunities
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
shastri-bhawan
CSS Forum Backs Officer Deepak Khoda After Suicide Attempt Over Alleged Workplace Harassment by IAS; Demands High-Level Probe in Letter to Minister
Gandhinagar: Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R
14 Million Seedlings and Counting: Gujarat’s Centres of Excellence Drive Horticulture Innovation with Global Backing
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT