https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

A Park in the Valley

Within weeks of his posting in the picturesque Parvati Valley area of Himachal Pradesh, Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Aishwarya Raj transformed a dumping zone of 2.5 acre to a stunning park- so that locals can have some quality time here.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Situated in Himachal Pradesh near the confluence of Parvati river with the Beas river, Parvati Valley offers stunning vistas and is one of most favored destination of the tourists. The valley is filled with serene natural beauty and also provides great trekking adventures. However, like it is said that even the moon has its dark spots- and so did this valley. 

Not more than 100 m from the confluence of two rivers, there was a dumping yard covering around 2.5 acres of land. The yard was filled with waste materials and was home to cactus and many wild plants from the last two decades. Suffice to say, it was a huge eyesore.

1. The dumping yard spread in 2.5 acres 2. The yard after the cleanliness drive and plantation

But since this area was not in use, so no body bothered to do anything about it. To remedy the situation would have been too much of a hassle. But, IFS officer Mr Aishwarya Raj thought otherwise and decided to do something about the dump yard. Recently posted as deputy conservator of Parvati Division, Mr. Raj was determined to clean the area along the Parvati river- including that ey4esore, the dumping zone. 

And what did this determied forest officer do? Well, he turned this dump yard into a lush green park!  Named the ‘Sangam SwarnimVatika’, the park will be thrown open to visitors this June. 

In a conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr Raj talked about this initiative which is being appreciated all around.

Used the funds for ‘Swarnim Vatika Initiative’

This is the second posting for Mr. Raj. Previously, he was posted in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh and came here in February this year. While on a visit to the area he found this yard which was filled with wild plants but same native species were also growing. “We got the idea that the quality of soil here was very good. So we should do something about. I was also informed that from the last few years the surrounding area had also become place for anti-social elements. Because of this, many people were scared to come here. I thought, If the area is cleaned up it can solve several problems at once.’’

The walking trail

 As a first step, Mr Raj’s team of forest officials installed CCTVs in the surroundings and put boards which proclaimed that anyone found involved in anti-social activities here, like drinking alcohol or gambling, would be prosecuted. Thereafter, the team started the cleanliness drive. The main hurdle was to get the funds. While, Mr. Raj was planning this initiative, the state government launched ‘Swarnim Vatika program’ to celebrate the golden jubilee of the formation of Himachal Pradesh. The officer used that fund, and all the waste material from the area was collected and send to waste processing units. Most of it was turned into manure. 

700 Plants to be planted in first phase 

After few sample tests, it became clear that the quality of soil was indeed really good in the area. Mr Raj and his team then led the plantation of native species like gladiola, apple, apricot, plum, rose, deodar and other plants of local flowers & fruits. Mr. Raj said that the target is to plant 600-700 plants in the first phase. 

The Park will be known as Sangam Swarnim Vatika

A place for locals 

To a query, Mr Raj said, “tourists come here for trekking and other experiences. They mostly don’t visit parks. However, in the past few months we have been getting request from the panchayats and local leaders for a place where local people could hang out. So this Vatika is primarily for them. We have also created a walking trail and hope that our people will have a good time here”. 

Apart from this, Mr Raj is also planning to involve the women and youth of the region in further cleanliness drives. This would ensure their continuation even after his transfer.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IAS Ashwani Kumar
Assam’s Bold Bet on Local Talent: IAS Ashwani Kumar’s Vision for a Digital Assam
Haryana Jungle Safari
Haryana’s Mega Jungle Safari Project Moves Closer to Reality; Phase-I Design Finalised
SBK Singh IPS CP
Delhi Police Commissioner S B K Singh Bans Aerial Platforms from August 2 to 16 for Security Reasons
IPS-logo-resized_new
10 Senior Cops Get New Roles In Bihar Police; DG Jitendra Kumar Gets Additional Charge of B-SAP
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
Jharkhand IFS Rajneesh Kumar Transferred Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings - Details Inside
Uttar Pradesh UP Government
17 Review Officers Transferred in Uttar Pradesh Secretariat Administration Reshuffle - Details Inside
IFS-forest-resized
6 IFS Officers Transferred in Odisha to Strengthen Environmental Administration, Jagayandatt Pati Made RCCF, Koraput Circle
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services IAS logo
4 Young IAS Officers Reshuffled in Uttarakhand, Rahul Anand Made Joint Magistrate, Dehradun
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IAS Ashwani Kumar
Assam’s Bold Bet on Local Talent: IAS Ashwani Kumar’s Vision for a Digital Assam
Haryana Jungle Safari
Haryana’s Mega Jungle Safari Project Moves Closer to Reality; Phase-I Design Finalised
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT