Rs 30 Crore Later, Naya Raipur's 'Asia's Largest' Botanical Garden Is Just a Field of Dry Shrubs

A project launched in 2014 to build Asia's largest botanical garden in Naya Raipur near Chhattisgarh's capital cost around Rs 30 crore, but 12 years on the site is overrun with dry shrubs and broken trails.

Twelve years ago, a patch of land in Naya Raipur, on the outskirts of Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur, was announced as the site of Asia's largest botanical garden. Today, that same stretch of land is choked with dry shrubs and broken footpaths. The project, launched in 2014, cost the state government close to Rs 30 crore, yet more than a decade later there is little to show for it on the ground.

What the project was meant to achieve
The garden was planned to be upgraded across 153 hectares of land. The goal was to conserve Chhattisgarh's rare and medicinal plant species, promote botanical research, and create a study centre for students. According to the original plan, the site was to house a germplasm bank, a research centre, a palm house, a cactus house and a bonsai house. There were also plans for a butterfly garden and ponds to preserve aquatic plants. To draw tourists, the project envisioned scenic vegetation trails, along with water sports facilities for children.

What actually stands there today
The reality on the ground is starkly different from that vision. Only a single board marks the site, while the rest of the area is overrun with dry grass, thorny bushes and crumbling walking trails. The entire garden has been fenced off with barbed wire, and it remains shut to the public for the most part, opening only when a newly posted officer arrives for an inspection. Both ponds that were built to preserve aquatic plants have dried up halfway. In the spot where a scientifically developed botanical garden was supposed to stand, there are not even ordinary flower beds visible anymore. No research, education or conservation activity of any kind appears to be taking place at the site.

A plan that stayed on paper
When the project was launched, officials had claimed that plant species found across every district of Chhattisgarh would be scientifically conserved at the garden. A germplasm bank was to be set up specifically to safeguard extremely rare and endangered species. That plan, however, never moved beyond paper.

What officials are saying
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Arun Pandey said he did not know why the project had come to an abrupt halt. He said plans are now underway to redevelop the botanical garden, this time under a public-private partnership, or PPP, model. According to him, a pre-tender meeting will be held soon, where private companies will be asked to suggest how, and in what timeframe, they could complete the project. Further steps will follow only after that consultation.

What this means for you
• Across India: The case is a reminder that large government conservation projects can quietly stall for years without accountability, even after crores in public money have been spent.
• In Chhattisgarh: Residents around Raipur and Naya Raipur have been left without the promised tourist attraction or student study centre, and any change now depends on a fresh PPP tender process that has yet to begin.

Questions & Answers

1. Where was Asia's largest botanical garden supposed to be built?
It was planned in Naya Raipur, near Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur.

2. How much money was spent on the project?
Around Rs 30 crore was spent on the project.

3. When was the project launched?
The project was launched in 2014.

4. How large an area was the garden meant to cover?
It was to be upgraded across 153 hectares of land.

5. What does the garden look like now?
The site has only a single board, dry grass, bushes and broken trails, is fenced off with barbed wire, and shows no activity apart from two half-dried ponds.

6. Why did the project suddenly stop?
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Arun Pandey said he does not know why it came to a halt.

7. What happens to the garden next?
It is now planned to be redeveloped under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with a pre-tender meeting to be held soon to gather suggestions from private companies.

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