Junkyard to orchard: Bandra residents’ efforts bear fruit :Hindustan Times

Locals get together to claim a one-acre green lung among the concrete

MUMBAI: Imagine an orchard where you can pluck mulberries, jackfruits, chikoos and tamarind off the branches. You can then proceed to a gazebo, which houses a free library, and read while children play in a park outside.

This is not a weekend destination, but a one-acre enclosure nestled among buildings on D’Monte Park Road, in Bandra (West). Seven years ago, residents of the area decided to claim a green lung for themselves among all the concrete, and grew this park on what was once a junkyard.

Marie Paul, Arlene Fernandes, Neller Saldanha and Anil Rao have been maintaining the park under the umbrella name of the D’Monte Park Road Advanced Locality Management.

In 2008, while the locals were discussing how to remodel the junkyard, S Rama Iyer, 76, a retired chemical engineer and resident, just happened to walk in, and contributed Rs10 lakh for the park. It was ready in six months.

“I was just passing by, and saw the residents trying to start something remarkable. As a resident, I, too, wanted to leave a legacy behind, and decided the park would be a great way to celebrate the memory of my wife, who passed away 30 years ago,” said Iyer.

The park also has a patch dedicated to growing vegetables.

“Our idea is to bring children out of their concrete comfort zones and interact with nature, with these fruit bearing trees and the variety of vegetables growing right next to their homes,” said Fernandes.

Paul pointed out the advantages of having a park in the middle of housing complexes.

“Community participation and discussions are initiated at these recreational spots. The gazebo holds workshops for children, who can come together and have a good time in the play area,” she said.

The residents plan to incorporate a compost pit and a shredder in the park by the end of the monsoon, to increase the amount of manure generated for their vegetable garden.

“It is purely a resident-driven initiative and an example for other areas in Bandra,” said Asif Zakaria, municipal corporator, Bandra. “There is a lot of waste generated from cutting trees across Bandra, and compost pits can help make streets waste-free.”